Mother's Worry Lines

Mother dear, I recall the many worry lines upon thy dear face.
Oh, that if time I could reverse and them from thy face erase!
Forgive me Mother dear if I caused you any undue despair.
Forgive me Mother dear if I etched my share of them there!

You struggled to see your family through the Great Depression.
To see to the needs of your family was thy sole obsession.
You saw us through sickness and health - to that I can avow.
I know that this alone carved worry lines upon thy brow.

In my feckless youthfulness, too many times I let you down.
I saw disappointment on thy face and thy disapproving frown.
If only I had the power to turn back the clock and erase,
Those worry lines that I caused to crease thy noble face.

I rue the many times that I gave you unnecessary sass.
Those hurtful words from my mouth were so terribly crass.
It gives me peace to know God erased those worry lines from your brow,
When He welcomed you Home where you rest at peace with Him now!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Placed No. 4 in Paula Swanson's "Line" Contest - September 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Taylor Avatar
September 25, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Outstanding write, Bob. It's a shame the grief we caused our Moms. But they loved us thru it all. God bless them. Ralph
K. Avatar
September 25, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Super congrats on this wonderful tribute to your mom, Bob! -- nikko :)
Acquah Avatar
September 25, 2010 at 4:32 AM
Your Gonna make me love the poet in you lol this was beautiful , how sensitive and loving!, and the sad part is we/us poets were really sassy kids ...but this is just great! " to crease thy noble face "...best lines 4 me
Dietrich Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 9:14 PM
wonderful win, Robert, simply wonderful!
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM
A beautiful poem and wonderful ending too. Congratulations on your wonderful win Robert. Love, Connie
Brown Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 6:58 AM
Congratulations on your win Bob in Paula Swanson's contest "Line". Love, Carol
Bagnall Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 4:31 AM
Super, lovely truibute to mum. Congratultions in the contest
Devonshire Avatar
September 24, 2010 at 4:28 AM
You done real good with this one, Bob! Congrats on your win. Love, Carolyn
Gorelick Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 9:31 PM
I knew Paula would love this..congrats..BG
Roberts Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 9:25 PM
just lovely Robert, congrats on your win in the contest
Guzzi Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 8:05 PM
You are such a good man! Congrad's on your win! Light & Love
Johnson Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 7:39 PM
I am ssure your Mom earned every line and she would have done it all over again for you. congratulations Robert. Love, Joyce
Sweetheart Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Congrats Bob on your big win in the Lines contest.. another great write and win my friend.. enjoy with luv...
Mehta Avatar
September 23, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Congratulations on this well deserved win, Bob
Sweetheart Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Perfect piece on the word Line Bob.. good luck in Paula's new contest... wish we could all turn back the clock..actually the premise of my new contest "A Journey Back in Time"... enjoyed my friend... thankxxx for the java too...
Gorelick Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 3:53 PM
One of your best...Yur mother would have been proud. BG
Flach Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Bravo. Well done. Joe
Richards Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 12:07 PM
A beautiful poem of regret, but also you must know, that all mothers develop worry lines. It seems to go along with the job...regardless of how feckless, wild or wonderful the child. (Especially during those teen years...I know of no mother, that doesn't have a worry line here or there.) A lovely entry to Paula's contest! :)
Culverhouse Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 11:38 AM
touching poem about mother...great thoughts.
Palli Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I can relate! Another excellent write.
A   Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Bob, this poem is very lovely, how i wish i never caused my mother all that heartache. I was one of the ones that would put so much worry in her face. I even joked once with her by telling her that i am the reaon she had that beautiful face. lol, I would give anything to appoligize to her beloved face right now. But,she has has that memory where she only remember me and my little trouble self. I give her all the thanks in the world for getting us thru so much and always being there for me,..p.d.
Devonshire Avatar
September 21, 2010 at 10:39 AM
This is a really beautiful message, Bob. Yes, there is some humor, but I most enjoyed the way it describes your love for your mother. And I too believe that the "worry lines" are erased when we find eternal peace. Outstanding write, my friend! Love, Carolyn
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