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| With Liam at the park, 2006 |
There is
no better gift for a writer -- someone who thinks and communicates using the written word-- than a written piece of art: a poem. This
week, Paul presented me with a piece of work that was written by a local poet,
Malik Canty.
http://aalbc.com/authors/malik.htm
Beautifully framed and words that speak to motherhood that so
touched my heart and my core. I am grateful. I wanted to share it with you,
because it meant so much to me. I don't need jewelry, a facial, a designer purse or other material things (although those things kick ass and I would not ever be disappointed with them!) But, like many of you, the hand drawn card made with love with the words "I love you," or a poem commissioned by a blooming poet somehow (to me) mean so, so much more.
A million years ago one Mother's Day, when I was in 8th grade, my dad helped me work on my science project about the heart. It was a replica of a heart made from wood that showed all the ventricles and the ins and outs of the blood flow. He wrote my mom a card that day that I never forgot (and I am sure she never did either because my mom spent that Mother's Day in the living room while my dad helped me!).
"Although today as I work on a wooden heart, I want you to know that you are indeed the heart of our family and my heart." I am paraphrasing because I don't remember the exact words he used, but I remember it was a beautiful, touching play on words.
I know so many unconditional, patient, loving, non-judgemental, supportive, wonderful mothers out there—including my own— and although all
the stanzas might not apply to each one of you, there is a least one, that you
might resonate with as you read it. Happy Mother’s Day!
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| With Owen, 2010 |
Mother’s
Day, By Malik Canty
This poem
is a dedication to Erin and all those women who also have the beloved title of
Mother
How do
you say thank you to an inspiration?
Words
like strength, compassion, caring, sacrificing for the sake of children or
family are given life by her actions in making sure that everyone under her
watchful eyes be introduced to unconditional love
A love so
strong that a promising career is put on hold or never launched because of her
willing spirit to fight for the protection of those who she loves and those who
she gave birth to
When you
think of the title Mother, images of cooking, cleaning, sewing, always knowing what is needed for the family, only represent a small sample of what
she has done or what she will do to keep her family afloat
Bow to
her, acknowledge her for the strength that she often provides for her household
or the lost souls who come under her care and guidance
Bow to
her, she is a life bringer, she is a compassionate pool who sometimes gets
abused by those who forget or don’t care that she is the first teacher in their
life
The first
one who fed them, put clothes on them protected them, even when she was hurting
from lack of support, or non-support, she would not yield, she would not let
them see her weep openly or silently
To every woman
who has mothered someone, whether you gave birth or just stopped people from
hurting, these words were written for you because your kind is one of a kind
Happy
Mother’s Day, and may God always keep his lights on you, always bring you relief
when the trials get to deep
You
should be honored
You
should always be giving acclaims because without you, life would not be the
same
The world
could not grow and unconditional love we would never know.
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