Two hours, fourteen minutes

She knew the joy of motherhood
        once; for nine months:
Two hours, fourteen minutes.
    she held him for his entire life
              and tried to give
       this tiny, unformed soul
all the love that he would need
          as he moved on.
And all the hurts
they would endure together,
      he and she;
   falls from trees,
        bruises, scratches, cuts, 
       broken bones,
            broken hearts,
failures, confusion, anger.
     She felt them
            all at once
unbearable,
            the weight of her grief.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Volumes Avatar
May 17, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Terry, you summed up in one exquisite poem, just what God made all Mothers for. Through my tears I whole heartedly congratulate you. Best wishes from Wen.
Miller Avatar
June 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Thank you so much Wen, my tears were on the paper as I wrote it, strange what comes from your pen sometimes.
Rodrigues Avatar
May 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Wow, so poignant and beautiful! We can start out well, mean well, but life happens. Congrats!
Miller Avatar
May 16, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Thank you Kim
Crandall Avatar
May 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Great, tragic poem Terry, grieving a life that couldn't be.
Miller Avatar
May 16, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Thank you David
Keeler Avatar
April 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Sweet Jesus. What a piece. I felt the pain of this poem in my soul. What a wonderful piece. Thank you!
Miller Avatar
April 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I felt this as I wrote it, and sometimes, after finishing a poem, you wonder if you should share it, thank you so much for your kind comment
Goldsmith Avatar
April 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful yet sad write. What an ending. "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a wonderful spring day.........
Miller Avatar
April 29, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Thank you Paula it is indeed a sad write
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