Category: Poetry
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Clear boundaries
By all accountsI am friendly and I enjoy my kids’ companyWe have fun togetherBut I’m not their friend. I’m their mom.A safe space.A confident leader.Warm & wise.Clear and kind.Firm and familiar. I do not seek their approvalAnd at times I know they won’t like meAnd that’s ok. I reserve the right to pull backAnd give…
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Visit
I promise we usually take slow steps. If it was up to ivy,At this age,unfiltered, unencumbered friendliness,She would invite friends over to playevery day. After the movie night,5 hours of chats, food, games and movieThe night was sweet and warm and playfulAnd they all stayed longer stillIn front of our houseAfter walking Rufus. But I…
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Rooted wisdom. Kind words.
I’m storing in my heart the incredibly kind things Jackie says to me. But my heart is full, so as to not forget, I’ll store some of her quotes here as well. She is about to turn 13, and we talk honestly about everything. She asks questions and shares her heart and listens well. Out…
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how love takes root
I made a decisionTo love my daughterwholly and completelyForever. And so far so good. Love is mysterious.I gave firstAnd served.I waited Love is not just a feelingIt is a decision and knowledgeKnowing someonePatiently and kindlyFuels the fire of feelings I enjoy my daughter’s companyHer mind and her heartShe is determined and willingCapable and extraordinaryStubborn and…
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Jenga
A game of building upHow tall could it go?Steady. Thoughtful. Calculated.Pictures on the wall of their phonesTalking about it and holding hands.Visiting each otherMaking plansKnowing friendsInvolving the parents.Building relationships that interwove,Strengthening itor knit it tighter together.Does it feel safe?Or does it feel suffocating? The taller we goThe more dramatic the crashIf that’s what is in…
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Not looking for approval
Clear headed, even as I listen to her heartAnd have the courage to pray dangerous prayersMay God take away even good thingsTo make room for the right thingsThe greatest things. I sensed myself loosing my bearingsImmersing myself into her love storyHer new interest – the sweet innocent targetThat could easily turn upside downWhen one would…
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poem about fear
I observe in a new contextYour biggest fear.I didn’t know it before. We’ve talked about anything and everythingWe named our fearsSince you were three. We confronted themAnd nothing held you backNothing burdened you. Not that fear didn’t existWe just had a system to walk through itWhatever it might be. But in your first love,Though he…
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poem of boundaries for J
Keeping you safeAnd setting boundariesWhen you don’t seem to understandWhen, why or how to put them in place No more phone after 9Engaging with ai for conversationsEven after I told you no, you’re Googling shit No more phone for the day No more dancing in the bedroom on the phoneReflecting, making facesGetting obsessed over hairNails,…
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My daughter
Selective & loyal Strong willed and sarcastic She speaks her mind Even as empathy rules her heart I have had a front row seat to her becoming And I know my personality & influence imprinted certain traits I love her wholly & completely Generously & freely She owes me nothing But I feel her generous…
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Perception of self
An honest X-ray of the relationshipAwakened to what meets the eyeBeauty. Restraint. Lust.Not knowing quite what to do with this assault of imageryBeauty perceivedRushed into the brainMaking camp Small at first but taking over Teenage brain unguardedCurious and hungry Go back to simple thingsCars and superficial conversationsBasic knowledge of the otherDistance and rest She pushed…
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Letter from Jackie
…It’s better than the most loving eulogy. And I am still around to enjoy it, and let it fill me with hope and delight. I absolutely love Jackie’s mind and heart and teachable posture. She is stubborn but clearly within her rights. Not an inch overbearing. She is reserved with most other people. Observant…