Laid To Rest

Today I saw a daughter laid to rest.
A mother tries to heed her own advice.
Holding it in surely put her to the test.
She failed more than once or twice.
Her failing was no artificial device.
She tried, Lord how hard she tried.
She simply could not pay the price.
She cried, oh how the mother cried.

She was a fifth grade teacher, the best.
The kids all sought her out for advice.
Fifty Eight, so young but so blessed,
too young, to pay this enormous price,
too old to fashion protective gneiss. 
Her mother knew of this fierce pride.
Yet, she couldn’t save her baby’s life.
She cried, oh how the mother cried.

The building now full, still they pressed,
her former students, learning pain of life.
From one loved, who had faced the test,
and had not complained about sacrifice.
While a mother mortally wounded twice
who faced this when her husband died
hopes to God she will not see this thrice.
She cried, oh how the mother cried

The mother, paying the mother’s price, 
before her eyes could have fully dried.            
With more than enough love to suffice,   
she cried, and oh how the mother cried. 

For Catie's ballade contest
Feb 22, 2011
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Guzzi Avatar
March 13, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Told you, you'd win BIG HUGS! congrad's!!! Light & Love [an admirer]
Onclaud Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:40 PM
a somber mood that combines spirituality and relaity with such grace, charles... best cheers for the great win! ..:) huggs, nette
Muzzey Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 4:43 PM
Congratulations on your win with this lovely Ballade. Caryl
Mehta Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Sad but moving tale you have penned in this write, Charles. Congrats on the win
Brown Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 9:28 AM
This has to go to my favorites Charles. Congratulations on your win in Catie's contest. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Such a sad story behind this poem, Charles. My grandmother outlived my mother and kept asking God why he hadn't taken her first. I can feel the deep loss of the crying mother. Excellent ballade! Congratulations on your win. Love, Carolyn
George   Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:38 AM
Heart-Wrenching Ballade, Charles. Many congrat's on your BIG WIN. Lainie
Johnson Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Congratulations LCharles on your win with this sad ballad. Lovely and epathetic. Love, Joyce
Sweetheart Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 7:18 AM
Congrats Charles on your big win in Catie's contest with this superb Ballade entry ..enjoy with luv..
Guzzi Avatar
February 26, 2011 at 1:50 PM
hard subject gently approached great true refrain worth the repetition, surely a winner. Light & Love
Muzzey Avatar
February 23, 2011 at 12:23 PM
I truly enjoyed reading this wonderfully written Ballade. Good luck in the contest. Caryl
Johnson Avatar
February 22, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Very sad Charles. Good luck in the contest. Love, Joyce
Reid-Hansen Avatar
February 22, 2011 at 2:45 AM
This is well written..good luck in the contest
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