White Shoulders

I am her child again...
I'm wearing my pink flannel pajamas, the ones with tiny roses.
I'm curled up in the middle of her big four-poster.
And watching her dress for the party.
She has just fastened the clasp of her gleaming white pearls
It isn't often that she has an occasion to wear her pretty lace dress
The dress that shows off her porcelain white shoulders  
        
The most exciting thing my parents usually do.. 
                                            is to go to the movies. 
Watching Errol Flynn, as he swash buckles his men through the Sherwood forest.

But tonight is special! They are dressing up!
And she looks so beautiful!
She has pink cheeks, and red lips, and her hair is shining in auburn curls.
Oh!  How different, how wonderful, my mother looks tonight!
When only an hour ago, she was standing at the kitchen sink,
                     wearing that threadbare apron
Tonight she looks like one of those Hollywood ladies
           that grace the cover of her Photoplay magazines!

She's slipping on her high heeled shoes, 
           then she reaches for her White Shoulders perfume.
"Here, darling girl", as she reaches over to me
               and puts a dab under each of my ears.
She kisses my forehead, and says  
 "Be good for Grandma".....
          "See you in the morning. Love you Sweetheart. Sweet dreams".

She tucks me in, turns off the light...
 and I am her child again, 
    safe, and warm, and filled with the knowledge that I am loved
            drifting away on a cloud of White Shoulders.......
                           
Oh...to be loved like that just one more time....
                   of being wrapped in the fragrance of her love

                            Oh...    if only for a moment I could be her child again.....



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
("White Shoulders" was my mother's favorite scent to wear...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

123
Date: 12/3/2012 1:25:00 PM
Congratulations on your win in Anthony's "Whiteness" contest Carrie. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 12/2/2012 6:11:00 PM
Just wonder always a joy to read your work you have been greatly missed. Congrad's on your win Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 12/1/2012 3:04:00 PM
Awesome poem about motherhood and children and I always loved White Shoulders perfume, really lovely! Congratulations on your win!
Login to Reply
Date: 11/30/2012 4:58:00 PM
Carrie, how lovely. Sigh. I think I will change back to regular ole Cyndi. I'll confuse too many chums with this temporary personna. I really enjoyed this poem on many levels. My mom's signature scent was lily of the valley. I still "pine" for it and the perfume can move me to tears. I wonder of my own girl. I rarely wear perfume. If I did it would be ANAIS ANAIS, my all time fave. Congrats on the win. Hugs Cyndi
Login to Reply
Date: 11/30/2012 4:31:00 PM
Beautiful scent and beautiful poem about your mom. A BIG win and well deserved one, Carrie!! I think he has a special prize for you. At least I remember the winner of this one was supposed to get some prize.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/30/2012 11:55:00 AM
Carrie, congratulations with your awesome win,, always~pd
Login to Reply
Date: 7/19/2010 8:43:00 AM
Congratulations Carrie on your well deserved win in Amy Green's contest "Choose One, Have Fun". Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 7/16/2010 3:51:00 PM
Congrats Carrie on your winning poem in Amy's contest with this wonderful write.. enjoy your special win in the spotlight with a little dance at the winners circle.. with luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 7/16/2010 3:03:00 PM
Just amazing. Great job, congrats on your win. I know what you mean about scents and memories. Takes you right back, doesn't it?
Login to Reply
Date: 3/20/2010 11:10:00 AM
Simply beautiful, Carrie. A big congatulations to you with this win. LUv, andrea
Login to Reply
Date: 3/20/2010 2:26:00 AM
Deep thoughts, inner feelings to see how they feel about it even in great dreams, pouring so much longing, hope and inspiration. Congratulations on being the winner on this contest, Carrie. (^_^) Noel.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 5:27:00 PM
oh Carrie! If there was better than first ,this would surely have taken it. What a sublime write. congratulations to you!!! -Robert
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 3:29:00 PM
Congrats Carrie on your winning first place in the contest.. a wonderful and well deserved win for u to relish.. luv this poem from your gifted pen... luv.. Linda-Marie..
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 2:01:00 PM
Truely a well deserved win! It's so amazing the feelings that are expressed from yourself, and how they are absorbed by me in this piece. Gareth
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 1:36:00 PM
Carrie ~Oh my God what a heartfelt beautiful poem no wonder you got first place! Congratulations on your outstanding win! You brought me back to my Mother doing the same thing. Love Laura :)
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 12:57:00 PM
Carrie, this is a most beautiful sweet poem > well deserved of its first place in Carol's wonderful contest >> James
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 12:43:00 PM
Ahhh, "White Shoulders my first perfume! Still a favorite! What an artful picture you paint Carol, and we certainly all miss those heartfelt days!!! Congradulations and Love Jeralynn
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 11:54:00 AM
Carie, Congratulations for your win. And may your dream come true in heaven. This is truely a beautiful dream. Sincerely, Dane Ann
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 11:52:00 AM
Congratulations on your win Carrie in my contest. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2010 9:42:00 AM
very nice congrats on your win faleshia
Login to Reply
Date: 1/9/2010 2:08:00 AM
I loved this before and I still do. Congrats on being featured..such a touching memory. BG
Login to Reply
Date: 1/5/2010 4:04:00 PM
Congratulations on your 2nd poem being featured this week on the Soup, Carrie!! Way to go!! Peace, Audrey
Login to Reply
Date: 1/5/2010 8:46:00 AM
Many congratulations on your fine poetry being featured this week Carrie, Happy New Year to you >> James,xx
Login to Reply
Date: 1/4/2010 2:29:00 PM
Beautiful memories! Memories that are so precious live forever! Great job Carrie! Peace, Audrey
Login to Reply
Date: 1/4/2010 1:57:00 PM
Brought back a TON of memories with this one, Carrie!! I used to sit spellbound watching my mother get ready for work even ... smile ... purse, hat, gloves, shoes, costume jewelry and outfit would all be color coordinated ... I would just be in awe! Unfortunately, there was only heartache behind the facade. I like your memory better ... smile ...
Login to Reply
123
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter