Your Disfigured Ode

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5/12/2025 for The Duality of Motherhood Poetry Contest sponsored by Suzette Richards

mother
here no longer 
but forever judged
you were everything
the self-sacrificing
source of all love and comfort

and all rage and rejection
you made me
and i am somehow part of you
and i was your mirror
showing what you did not want to see
weakness, neediness 
the object of your shame and self-loathing

now
(just like me)
instead of producing a bouquet of roses
I disfigure this ode to motherhood

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Crystol Woods

Date: 5/18/2025 5:19:00 AM

You have allowed yourself to be vulnerable here... thank you for sharing this with us! Poetry connects humanity through relatable experiences, emotion, and reaction. It's a beautiful craft that let's us truly see ourselves in our fellowman, gaining empathy and compassion. You are so brave! That paid off because you've created a poem so tender and raw, it aches inside of my heart. Xoxo

David Crandall
Date: 5/18/2025 10:49:00 AM

Thanks Crystol, I appreciate your comments!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/15/2025 11:04:00 AM

I love writing this way, to see the truth. Yes, we will all right that beautiful, sweet, that bouquet, but it is seeing between the lines that we find ourselves. Hugs and congrats!

David Crandall
Date: 5/16/2025 8:49:00 AM

Thanks Kim, I really appreciate your comment!