Who I Would Bring Back

Who would I bring back, if I had only one
Perhaps a great leader, Kennedy or Lincoln

Or I could choose a musical icon
Such as John Lennon or Michael Jackson

Maybe a legend of the silver screen
Maybe Marilyn Monroe or James Dean

All gifts to the world, but the selfish truth
I would bring back the mother of my youth

The mother who, with sublime grace,
Applied lipstick and blush to her ivory face

The mother whose delicate jasmine perfume
Filled my childhood's every room

Whose all-day-long-to-cook beef stew
Was the first comfort food I knew

Her dancing steps, so full of ease
Until the claws of arthritis seized

Her laughter so free, her hugs so giving
Before these days of assisted living

I would return the fire to her hair
And raise her from the wheelchair

And, as I used to, watch her choose
Her dress, earrings, necklace and shoes

Then she'll softly kiss my cheek
Before going out, coiffed and sleek

To her I would give my own energy
To be, again, the woman in my memory...

10/09/18
for Caren Krutsinger's 'Who Would You Bring Back' contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 1/3/2022 10:08:00 AM
I just read your beautiful poem for the first time. It's so tender and beautiful, Michelle ~ your mother sounds very special. Age deteriorates us ~ so cruelly.
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Date: 3/30/2021 9:19:00 PM
Hi Michelle! This brought me close to tears. Good poetry does that, so it just shows how great a poet you are. This is how I am feeling about my mother and my adopted grandmother now. This is a fave for me.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/1/2021 8:02:00 PM
Thank you, Jennifer, I am glad you got a connection from this, I hope your mother and adopted grandmother are doing ok, my mother is getting by but not the same as she was~
Date: 5/23/2020 10:51:00 PM
Wow ~ what a beautiful poignant tribute. The love is awesome. A FAVE for me.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/25/2020 5:27:00 PM
I am very touched and humbled, thank you-
Date: 5/14/2020 8:03:00 PM
This is sublime, Michelle. So personal, but one that many, many people can relate to (myself included). I'm sorry she is not the person she once was, but am glad you have such pleasant memories of her. She sounds like a terrific person, and I'm sure she is very proud of her daughter, and smiles to read this. A fave for me, one I will return to when I miss my mother ~ John
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 5/25/2020 5:26:00 PM
That is such a humbling compliment, thank you, John-
Date: 11/13/2018 3:50:00 PM
Brings happy and thoughtful tears Michelle - I must call my Mom now, she's 88 and still lively as heck.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/25/2018 6:48:00 PM
Good for your mom - you should call her!
Date: 11/9/2018 9:43:00 AM
It's a nice memory of one's mother to be kept in the folds of poetry. I liked.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/25/2018 6:48:00 PM
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Date: 11/6/2018 12:26:00 PM
Hello Michelle, oh this poem has me wondering Whom i would bring back. have a nice day my friend.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/6/2018 7:08:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Darlene!
Date: 11/5/2018 6:57:00 PM
Really spoke to me. Remembering my own dear mother. So well written.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/6/2018 7:09:00 PM
Thank you so much, Mark!
Date: 10/29/2018 2:44:00 AM
Beautifully sad, I must say really awesome job!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/6/2018 7:09:00 PM
Appreciate that, thanks, Jay!
Date: 10/23/2018 7:41:00 AM
dropping back with my congrats Michelle:-) hugs Jan xx
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/6/2018 7:10:00 PM
Always happy to hear from you, Jan!
Date: 10/22/2018 10:10:00 AM
Back with heartfelt congratulations on your win with this poem straight from the heart. Best wishes, Gershon
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/22/2018 2:11:00 PM
Thank you again, my friend!
Date: 10/22/2018 10:01:00 AM
What a lovely composition, love how you put things in perspective to zero in on your lovely tribute. Feels like an echo of my personal feelings about my mother. Had to FAVE. Congrats on your well deserved gold medal win, Michelle.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/22/2018 2:12:00 PM
Thank you for your wonderful comment, much appreciated!
Date: 10/20/2018 2:40:00 AM
Your words immortalize the memory of your cherished mum
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/21/2018 12:46:00 AM
Thank you, JP!
Date: 10/17/2018 9:52:00 PM
Very touching write Michelle, age and disease ruins the best sometimes!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/21/2018 12:47:00 AM
Yes, she is very different now, sadly-
Date: 10/17/2018 9:49:00 PM
This is so heart rendering Michelle. Wonderful tender penning. My best to you in the contest! xomo
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/21/2018 12:48:00 AM
Thank you for your kind words, Maureen!
Date: 10/15/2018 8:38:00 PM
I felt each line of this lovely tribute, Michelle. So beautiful, the imagery brings my mother to me once again. Thank you this touching verse. A favorite for sure.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/16/2018 12:54:00 PM
Thank you for your lovely comment, Sandra!
Date: 10/12/2018 10:55:00 PM
This is a wonderful write Michelle, an easy win and a FAV for me!.....Made me think of my mom who raised my brother and myself alone. Red lipstick, wonderful long black wavy hair. My dad was her second husband. (An alcoholic) She was robbed of all her favorite things to do by Parkinsons. I feel for you my friend. I know it's not easy.......80)
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/13/2018 4:36:00 PM
My dad also my mom's 2nd husband, also alcoholic, she has many health issues, so sorry about your mother-
Date: 10/12/2018 3:34:00 PM
I can only second the other's words: Beautiful, touching, sweet, poignant,... utterly heartfelt. (Can I stop crying now?) Bravo, Michelle! ~ Gershon
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/12/2018 4:26:00 PM
Thank you so much, Gershon!
Date: 10/11/2018 6:35:00 AM
Wow, now that was beautifully sweet; I do wish that you could bring her back. Well-penned. Good luck in the contest.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/12/2018 4:25:00 PM
Thank you for your kind wishes, M.L!
Date: 10/10/2018 5:15:00 AM
Absolutely this woman world is right.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/10/2018 1:24:00 PM
Thank you for your visit and comment, Mahtab!
Date: 10/9/2018 10:50:00 PM
It is hard to watch people you love crippled and changed by age and illness. This poem is so moving and gorgeously penned... fantastic write, my friend!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/10/2018 1:24:00 PM
Thank you so much, my friend!
Date: 10/9/2018 4:35:00 PM
My daughter would most certainly agree with you! Aloha! Rico
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/9/2018 10:46:00 PM
Thanks, Rico!
Date: 10/9/2018 4:26:00 PM
Absolutely beautiful--so moving and poignant, Michelle! Janice
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/9/2018 10:45:00 PM
Thank you for your kind comment!
Date: 10/9/2018 3:46:00 PM
Such a touching piece Michelle, I've not thought about writing for the contest but will probably write about my maternal grandmother who I never met:-) hugs jan xx
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/9/2018 10:41:00 PM
I also never knew my maternal grandmother - makes you wonder what they were like!
Date: 10/9/2018 3:39:00 PM
Very well written Michelle. A special poem :)
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/9/2018 10:37:00 PM
Thanks, Heidi!
12
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