The mother-in-law woke me with her dry cough.
The electric alarm clock is registering 6am;
two hours since the baby’s last feed—
the one she came to help me with.
I crawl out of my warm bed to put the kettle on
and select the chipped coffee mug for her.
Face like a bulldog
She didn't understand "no"
She is the puppet master
To have a mother
In law is a great blessing
More so if she's good.
It takes maximum five seconds
to open the dishwasher,
place the cup in the machine
and close the door
When my husband
puts the coffee cup
in the dishwasher
It's not about the cup
by the sink ... but
Wait a minute ...
was it today
my mother was coming ?
Try not to roll your eyes
when she is giving helpful hints
of how she does everything.
Make sure her son (your hubby)
calls her every Sunday
and offer to help her with her gardening chores
even though you detest everything
to do with gardening
Take her a cooked casserole
every week, and sit and watch
her favorite TV show with her.
It’s the little things that count more
And let her boast about her roast
and how he(her son) loves her cooking the most.
After all, one day, you too
will be a Mother-in- Law.
An aside: This is purely fictional and written
to a prompt - to write a How to poem.
I actually loved my Mother-in-Law and we got along
famously. I was heart broken when she passed away.
Prior to ceremony Lily’s future mother-in-law insisted on things her way
She introduced a prenup, and spoiled the bride’s entire wedding day
The groom acted embarrassed, but he lived in his parents’ house
So, he kept his mouth shut, did not even make the peep of a mouse
The future mother-in-law let the bride-to-be know how things would be.
Lily heard the rules of the house, housework would be done on her knee.
Bride watched interaction between her groom and the overbearing mother.
She ran off before the wedding, knowing she could do better with another.
My Mother- in- law
Women in my family -
My mother- in-law, so special,
A lady with such a kind heart,,
Always there for us,
Wether near or miles apart.
She loved the grandkids so dearly,
A special bond between them,
With deep respect clearly.
Always a smile on her face,
The laughs we all had together were ace!!!!
She always knew the words to say,
To cheer you up,
And brighten your day,
Now you are gone,
It's just not the same,
We all miss you so much,
It's such a shame,
Wish I could give you a hug,
Love you lots.
Sponsored by sotto poet. 16/6/22
That meddling witch I just abhor
With us it is out and out war
Read advice from the pope
There is simply no hope
I do NOT love my mother in law
She’s written down in her notebook
My daughter in law cannot cook
Well it just isn’t true
All HER meals look like pooh
I honestly don’t give a toss (insert rhyming word of your choice)
The Pontiff’s words are a big blunder
My visage has turned black as thunder
HE has NOT got a wife
Hence no Mum in law strife
He’s celibate – it is no wonder!
fictional write Inspired by a sky news item that the pope thinks Mother's in law get a bad press the irony of the pope not being married wasn't lost on my muse!
https://news.sky.com/story/be-kind-to-your-mother-in-law-urges-pope-francis-12600496
05/26/27
It was a good morning till she arrived,
the she devil that bore her only child,
occasion to visit us she contrived,
with an excuse of sorts that she compiled!
She heaved and puffed her way in to the house,
with baggage and beddings wrapped in her arm,
she flashed a smile! that mother of my spouse,
through her big wide mouth used for gossip swarm!
It was a better morning when she left,
peace at last when I thought she would not budge,
but she died the next day! .. I wept bereft,
how prejudiced and wrong was I to judge!
N/A
Written 13/02/2021
Sponsor Tania Kitchin
It was a good morning until.. contest
12 lines 10 syllables each.
abab cdcd efef rhyme pattern
I said I did not want it, but his mother did.
So it came into my living room as a constant reminder
That there are two adults in this marriage and me.
I asked him not to do it, but his mother thought he should.
So of course he had to, for he takes all direction from her.
I pondered this, wondering if it would ever change.
It has not changed in forty-three years, so maybe not.
Mother-in-law came to visit a daughter.
Son-in-law asked for how long she will stay.
Depending on you - how long I can may.
Son- in- law said " I'm agreed, it's O.K."
But before you leave you want a cup of water?
My mother in law has died and was buried today.
Although apart from her son this past ten years,
she and I continued to maintain our loving relationship.
Never judgmental and kind to her core,
we shared many happy outings in her final years.
Christmas concerts, cinema dates and butterfly gardens.
Her son and I had not spoken since our acrimonious split.
But this summer, she talked of my joining their Xmas table.
I said I would, knowing in my heart she could not last until then.
Sleepless last night, she came to me unknowing, in spirit.
How else can I explain the change in my heart?
Before the service, I sympathised, forgave and asked for forgiveness.
In the presence of our eldest child, he and I embraced once again.
Her love inspiring me from the afterlife to forgive at last.
Renewed in faith for a hopeful future, I am free of past hurts.
Her parting gift to me.
23/10/2019
For contest
Writing Challenge 2, November - A Poem Meaningful
Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wisshkobi Ode
I have a rude prying mother-in-law
Always curious, she rubs my nose raw
A notorious liar
Never to blame, does conspire
Walked out the door, her face was last I saw
8/9/201
My mother-in-law was a Taurus.
Thought she was the easiest person in the world to get along with.
Incorrectly thought.
People loved her. She was revered and adored.
Also feared and tiptoed around, for she needed her own way
Most of the time. She also stood up for the underdogs,
And wanted others to have their own way too.
She was nurturing and loving when she liked you.
She had an eyebrow raise that could strike people dead
When she was displeased. I only saw it every day or so.
Usually directed to my father-in-law who was terrified each time.
None of us dared laugh.
A Taurus is an eclectic combination of
Have-To-Have-My-Way, and Want-You-To-Have-Yours-too.
We never double crossed our Taurus.
She loved me to pieces, and I her, but I knew who was the boss.
[Please note: while this poem may seem harsh, my mother-in-law did much good in her long life, more than I expect I have. It was prompted by the 'shock' that death has the power to take even those with the fiercest of wills.]
How could this...thing have been her?
Lying shriveled and small on the bed,
as those who loved (and feared) her
gathered in the bereft hospital room
to let their shock and grief melt and
mold itself into its own atmosphere....
Her body seemed never to have been real,
never to have been a woman,
never to have been young once, and surely,
never to have been a mother....
And if it had been a body once,
housing a small dragon who could lash out fire
solely with her harsh and brutal tongue,
keeping those who loved her at bay and
the rest of us wary, aware of her power,
her terrible gift that seemed to shrink your soul--
then where did she go when her mouth froze open
as the last breath of a long life left quietly,
silently, without fuss or rancor...?
Still, though imperfect as you or I,
she was loved, mourned, honored....
If God only housed saints,
think how terribly lonely He would be.
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