This piece is quite beautiful. You've captured those many facets of mothers, the diversity of how they love.
The small care they give and the larger ones even to their own detriment.
And the final poem, that one gives much to think about. In my interpretation, you are offering your mother gifts that are reminiscent of her body, calling back to the fact that she gives her own body as a gift to you, even when it may pain her.
How very kind of you to say, Bethel. Thank you. Thank you also for your thoughtful reading of the poem. I’m so glad to have discovered your beautiful work on this platform too.
thank you for acknowledging complexities of the mothering relationship. i too know folks with deep and loving connections with their mother and others with deep mother wounds and many spanning the betweenness.
and your poem, those images will linger. so evocative.
My favourite is definitely the last line: ‘which part of your swelling pains you the most.’
I’m certainly not one to romanticise. But there is such a thing as breaking the cycle of generational hurt. This essay may be a small way of undoing what feels like a family curse that has lasted centuries.
Thank you, for your beautiful ode to mothers-- it is authentic and opens the heart-mind to the vastness of their calling and the struggles that burden them.
Thank you, Kimberly. I’m glad you felt thus. ❤️ Yes, I did want to hold this space out for all possibilities & forms of motherhood. So glad that came through.🌻
This piece is quite beautiful. You've captured those many facets of mothers, the diversity of how they love.
The small care they give and the larger ones even to their own detriment.
And the final poem, that one gives much to think about. In my interpretation, you are offering your mother gifts that are reminiscent of her body, calling back to the fact that she gives her own body as a gift to you, even when it may pain her.
This is lovely work!
How very kind of you to say, Bethel. Thank you. Thank you also for your thoughtful reading of the poem. I’m so glad to have discovered your beautiful work on this platform too.
^_^
thank you for acknowledging complexities of the mothering relationship. i too know folks with deep and loving connections with their mother and others with deep mother wounds and many spanning the betweenness.
and your poem, those images will linger. so evocative.
Thank you so much, Anne. It is indeed a complex space, and I wanted to hold out this space for everyone. 🌻
My favourite is definitely the last line: ‘which part of your swelling pains you the most.’
I’m certainly not one to romanticise. But there is such a thing as breaking the cycle of generational hurt. This essay may be a small way of undoing what feels like a family curse that has lasted centuries.
Thank you, for your beautiful ode to mothers-- it is authentic and opens the heart-mind to the vastness of their calling and the struggles that burden them.
Thank you so much, Robin. So glad you felt thus. Grateful for your thoughtful note, and reading of the piece.
Just gorgeous. So wonderful to see the dynamism and kaleidoscopic possibilities of motherhood represented 💚
Thank you, Kimberly. I’m glad you felt thus. ❤️ Yes, I did want to hold this space out for all possibilities & forms of motherhood. So glad that came through.🌻
This! Exquisitely perceptive, gentle and so true… thank you for your beautiful words - I cried 🥲
Susie, how kind! 🥺 I’m so moved to know you felt that way. Sending abundant love & tenderness your way. 🌻
I love how you give voice to the full and complex spectrum of life through the lens of the Mother - a beautiful honoring.
Thanks a lot, Emma. That’s such a kind note. So glad you felt that way. 🌻