Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Thomas Edison was sent home from school with a note to his mother which said he was not school material, and could not return on day two.  Edison meticulously documented 9,999 experiments that failed before he created the electric lightbulb- experiment number 10,000.  

 

Thomas Edison's Mother

My mother loved me into wonderfulness
An odd child, too unusual for school.
I was sent home the first day, with a note.
I watched my mother’s face, for nuances.
A small wavering cheek dimple would have
Confirmed my most horrid fears.
I could tell by the whisperings of the day
The teacher did not want me there
Would my mother feel shame?
Would she call me names too?
Like the children had?  
Arms enfolded me. 
Relief.
She still loved me.
My mother, the one person who 
Believed in me when I was feeling like
No one else did.
You my blessed son, are too smart to go there.
I stared into her brown doe eyes.  
She had never been more convincing.
And I was a child who needed to believe.
She is the reason I persevered.
No other teacher could have taught me 
Resiliency and tenacity like my mother did.
She, and she alone, convinced me of my
Brilliance.  
No one else would have failed nine thousand and nine hundred and ninety-nine times and still tried one more time, right?
So in a way I must dedicate the electric light-bulb to my mother.
God bless you, Mother.  
You are my hero!

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Michelle Faulkner December 4, 2018 at 5:09 PM The power of belief is real - and so is a mother's love and support - wonderful, Caren! Caren Krutsinger December 5, 2018 at 12:09 AM I read this story years ago, and needed to believe it, and so I do.

M. L. Kiser December 4, 2018 at 3:19 PM It's sad but true, how we face rejection and failure and still manage; even with one supporter encouraging us, it's just enough to overcome challenges. Some good points in this poem. Caren Krutsinger December 5, 2018 at 12:10 AM I always remind myself "calm down, face this anger knowing it is really sadness, encourage and listen. It only takes one."