Poetry by Jeanette Dowdell: “Mother”
“MOTHER”
Mythical definitions: Zookeeper, “General,” Accompanist, Attorney,
Artist, Chef, Housekeeper, Teacher, Babysitter, Nurse, Manager, Coach
And countless other unnamed designations
Real definition: LOVE
O, Mother, O Mother, what would I do without you?
From the moment the light hit me, I knew, you knew what to do,
You took my hand and led me,
We have journeyed through life together; haven’t we?
You have shared your experience, your “know how,”
Which I in my wisdom, challenge and challenge, day by day; Wow!
Yet somehow, you just know my need,
Every minute, every crisis, you are there – indeed,
I don’t listen; I simply want to march to my own drum,
Self-centered, self-absorbed, because everything seems to be so ho-hum,
But not too long ago, I had a personal epiphany, awakened deep within; suddenly I knew,
O, Mother, O Mother what would I do without you?
Finally, I have come to know what love is all about,
Giving, giving, and giving – doing without,
Endless, mundane chores, sharing, helping, holding me close in times of laughter and tears,
Mostly without complaint as we journeyed the years,
Now, I have no doubt, we must change our definition of love,
At the very least, include MOTHER – undeniable grace from above