Soul of a Daughter, Life of a Stranger

Yesterday when I stood before him, he spoke my name
Today, I still stand, but the floorboards are cold
and he no longer knows the color of my eyes. 

With each spoonful of the steaming grey I lift my arms,
Up, then down, again and again, a repeated motion – weeping,
My arms are trembling with the weight of the spoon
that holds in its cupped womb my raw, injured soul.

Father, I say, in a voice cold from straining not to break 
I prod away the soup dribbling down his chin, gently.
The wrinkled hands are limp at his sides, lost.

What should be mad and free is caged within me; fluttering
feebly, thumping about in a circle of broken pieces
The look in his blank eyes has labeled me a stranger
But when they are closed my name is written on his face.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Gi-Sa Avatar
November 20, 2017 at 12:42 PM
What a fantastic poem, I have a top ten list of your poems and this makes it for sure!
Lokken Avatar
July 31, 2010 at 1:16 PM
I just wanted to say: your poem is amazing. I wish I had written it. Love, Sara
Muzzey Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Wow!! Congrats on being featured this week with this fabulous write, I truely enjoyed the read. Caryl
Roberts Avatar
July 10, 2010 at 8:27 AM
very touching poem, congrats on being featured this week
Brown Avatar
July 6, 2010 at 3:40 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week at PoetrySoup Grace. May you have many more features. Love,Carol
Adeite Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Congrats Grace, on your deserved win and on having your poem being featured on the Poetry Soup homepage this week, you are such a great talent! keep up the great writes, and enjoy the honor., wishing you all the best with your poems. Love, Adeleke
Adeite Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Congrats Grace, on your deserved win and having your poem being featured on the Poetry Soup homepage this week, you are such a great talent! keep up the great writes, and enjoy the honor. Love, Adeleke
Sweetheart Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 9:25 AM
Congrats Grace on your featured poem this week on the Soup.. a great choice to share with us all.. with luv from the "Sweetheart" in Hawaii..AlohA
Fisher Avatar
July 5, 2010 at 7:03 AM
Many congrats on your wonderfully heartfelt poem being featured this week. Rgds Janette
Johnson Avatar
July 1, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Oh how sad and yet beautifully written. Congratulations Grace. Love, Joyce
Mehta Avatar
June 30, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Congrats for 5th place win
Dietrich Avatar
June 28, 2010 at 9:27 PM
wow that last part very powerful. A heartfelt poem for sure. Congratuations! andrea
Mitchell Avatar
June 28, 2010 at 5:03 PM
Very good write! I love the closing lines, especially. Congratulations on your win!
Cwiak Avatar
June 28, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Beautifully done! Anyone who has had to take care of an elderly parent will get the message loud and clear. Congrats on the win! Dan C
Freeman Avatar
June 28, 2010 at 10:19 AM
congratulations,Grace, on your poem's success. Agape, Moses
Brown Avatar
June 28, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Congratulations Grace on your win in Paula Swanson's contest "Fill In The Blanks" Love, Carol
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