You're in the car parked in the driveway1
I see you in there after school2
The smell of that stuffy old dodge made you sick3
Your hands sit still for a moment4
Before you bring them up5
To touch your grey-streaked temples6
I can see you think of those days7
When you were just you8
No kids, no husband, only you9
You never dreamed this life would be yours10
Mother, wife, guardian11
And as you think of your life before12
I that old white van13
You wish to have that life back14
You think of leaving this, leaving us15
But you would never dare16
You're a mother now.17
This is the question I would ask you:18
Am I really worth more than all of your dreams?19
I know I'd hear nothing from your tight-lipped frown20
The answer that I still can't decipher21
As you fingers return to your grey-streaked temples.
Author notes
At a writing workshop, we were told to pick a person we knew and cared for greatly. We had to describe the place they go when they want to be alone before describing their hands. We had to tell one of their secrets, ask them a question, and then tell whether they answered it or refused to.
I chose my mother and how she sits in the driveway when she gets home from work to be alone just for a few minutes.
Happy Halloween!
Comments
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Wow, this is very full of emotion. I've always thought how hard it must be for mothers, to love somthing so much. I know that this is not always the case, but many do. Many want other things, but Can't leave because they care too much about their children and are obligated to be there for them, and this can be painful ( Sorry if I've gotton the wrong impressions. My own mother had her goals set exclusively on children and a husband since she was little, so most of this is just speculation rather than experience. Anyway, great poem, it's strong in emotion.)
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I read a wonderful book that you might like, then. It's called "The Lovely Bones." I'm not sure who wrote it but one of the characters was quite like this.
Thanks for the applause.
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