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Sunday, May 10, 2009

I'm Not the Woman I Thought I Was - A Mother's Day Poem


When I was in my twenties, I was a woman
With a flat stomach and ten polished fingernails,
A woman with a handsome boyfriend.

When I was in my thirties, I was a woman
Who was smart and professional, who wore a fur coat and high heels
And had an apartment with a view.

When I was in my forties, I was a woman with two babies
Who lived in a condo with no view,
Who wondered what she gotten herself into.

When I was in my fifties, I was a woman who mothered a mother,
Who chafed and struggled, who admired what I had borne,
And who wondered who I was.

And now I know I am a woman who had a flat stomach and
Ten polished fingernails, a handsome boyfriend;
A smart, professional woman who wore heels and a fur coat
And had an apartment with a view. My dry husk, attached to a twig.

Now I know I am a woman who, with a mate of such good fortune,
Had two babies who grew honorable and compassionate,
Even though she lived in a condo without a view
And wondered what she had gotten herself into. My struggling self, trying to push free.

And now I know I am a mother who mothered a mother, often badly,
But tried, and found the view in her own backyard,
And understood what she had gotten herself into,
And untied her heart so that it could , at last, lift with gratitude.
My wings, drying in the sun, unfolding to my own amazement.

By WOOFer, Joann Dunn

Joann Dunn is also an author. Find out about her Curtis Family Chronicles on her website:

Buy WOOF!
Mary Cunningham (Milkbone)

11 comments:

Liana said...

So very true!
A very sensitive and true poem!
Best wishes!
Liana

Mary Cunningham said...

I know, Liana. It speaks volumes, especially today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary
http://www.marycunninghambooks.com

Diana Black said...

Thanks, Joann, for such an insightful poem...perfect for Mother's Day!

Diana

http://www.basicblackblog.blogspot.com

Eileen Williams said...

That lovely poem truly brought tears to my eyes. I try not to dwell on the past but on marker days, such as Mother's Day, a certain nostalgia arises and I find myself "remembering when."
This poem said it all so elegantly. Thanks for a great Mother's Day gift wrapped up in words that touched my heart.

Mary Cunningham said...

Have to do a little bragging since Joann is a member of our local writers' group.

We all know she's a fabulous author, but only recently has she begun sharing her poetry skills with us. Maybe we can talk her into sharing another one sometime.

Thanks for the comments, Eileen!

Mary
http://www.marycunninghambooks.com

Beverly Mahone said...

I have to say I'm glad I'm not the woman I thought I was because back then, my life was on the fast track to nowhere---trying to please everybody. Today I am focused and clear in my direction--this due, in part, to a mother, who taught me to believe in ME.

Mary Cunningham said...

What a great story, Beverly! You're truly blessed to have had a mother who instilled that kind of confidence in you.

Thanks for your thought-provoking comments.

Anonymous said...

What a beautifully written poem! Thanks for sharing.

Diana Black said...

I love reading all of these comments. They're so touching...

Thanks again, Joann, for speaking to each of us through your words... in your newfound creative outlet!

Woofers got it goin' on!

Diana

WordyWoman said...

Diana and Mary, Thank you for printing my poem, and thanks to those readers who left comments. Sharing these thoughts and memories are what make us a sisterhood. Woofers Forevah! Joann Dunn

Mary Cunningham said...

The please was our, Joann! Thanks for the great Mother's Day post.

Mary