An "Honest" Opinion
There is a time
when one does not
realize
that mothers too have
feelings that can be
hurt.
It is a misty time
not many years
from the water of the
womb
still wet with the
mystery of
one’s own tears
It was in this time
that mother wore
her new sundress
-white with small
flowers it swirled
about her long tan
legs – She was not
one for dresses or
earrings – and yet
that summer night
the new dress swirled
and
earrings shone like
diamond
daisies white as her
smile –
Oh how she smiled –
until a friend-
her friend
Wit Woman
stopped by
told her that
she looked
ridiculous –
“Ridiculous”
she laughed
and the little girl
marveled at her mother-
tear-stung-shock-slit
for a quick instant
hit
by the honed point of
mis-
placed honesty
hitting its
mark - tearing a ragged
hole
in the till then somnolent
mist-as that awakened
child
peered through the
gape- Seeing
the summer smile fall
to the floor
along with a white
dress and
the conclusive crystal
clatter
of dropped daisy
earrings
shattering
shattering
Poignant. I know this feeling from a parent and a teacher's perspective. Often we are set aside, not a regular person. I remember a student who gaped in wonder as he saw me purchasing toilet paper in the store. Asked what we were going to do with that in school, and I said, "No, it's for me at home!" His eyes grew big as saucers. HA!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful written AND such a touching story.
ReplyDeleteLove the narrative -- as viewed through the eyes of a child. The innocence that encounters the ways of the world...
ReplyDelete