The painful birth of motherhood
So few have really understood
Is but a shadow that foretells
The pain our parents knew so well
Of children singing out farewell
As to their freedom they rush out
With a merry, happy shout
“See you, mom, papa,” they call
Do they look back? Not at all
Headlong, heeding freedom’s call.
While we stay behind, pretend
It’s a new beginning, not an end
They have crossed a Finish Line
For the first time, we’re left behind
Watching, waiting, marking time.
And these pains unlike birth pangs go
Not in waves, but slow, real slow
The first sharp stabs are weeks apart
When they forget to call, your heart
Then feels a spasm really sharp.
They carry on their merry way
We check our e-mails every day
Every text on our mobile
Is opened with expectant smile
Every call is answered while
For them, it’s ‘can I call back please?’
Rattled off with smiles, with ease
While we hold back our tears today
Say, “sure, but don’t forget, okay?”
And hold off for another day.
Until at last the birth pangs ease
They never really ever cease
A day then dawns, they have their own
And that’s when you will know they’ve grown
Their love for you is then full blown
It’s time for you to smile again
It’s time to let go of the pain
It’s time for them to say to you
Those words of love, born fresh, anew
“Dear ma, dear pa, we love you too.”
Rohini Sunderam is a Canadian of Indian origin. She is a semi-retired advertising copywriter whose articles and stories have appeared in The Statesman, Calcutta, India, The Globe & Mail, Canada, and The Halifax Chronicle Herald, Nova Scotia, Canada in addition to several Bahrain-based publications. As Zohra Saeed, she is the author of Desert Flower (Publisher: Ex-L-Ence Publishing UK). She was a contributor to the anthology My Beautiful Bahrain (Publisher: Miracle Publishing, Bahrain), More of My Beautiful Bahrain & Poetic Bahrain, (Robin Barratt Publishing UK), Corpoetry – a collection of poems satirising corporate life (Publisher: Ex-L-Ence Publishing).
Well done Rohini. A lovely reflective poem full of poignancy.
David!
Thank you. I’m sure you remember the birth pangs of the poem as well.
Poignant; endearing and timely for Mother’s Day, Rohini.
Thank you! I am thrilled to see it here and what an exquisite piece of art!
I agree, and one that only a mother could write.
Thanks! I am so touched by all the responses. And I’ve logged in at the end of my day.
Lovely poem Rohini. All mothers will relate to this so very well.
Keep writing.
Thanuja
Lovely, Rohini–both parents’ love coming full circle. Perfect for Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Amy, by now I am overwhelmed
Heartwarming.
Thank you!
Simply beautiful. Perfect for the occasion.
Thank you,
As you know, your opinion matters a lot to me
A beautiful poem for Mother’s Day. Just as in life, you show how all threads come together in time.
Thank you
Such a warm and well-realised poem. Dear Rohini, thanks very much for this.
Kavery!
Thank you for your comment. I am so thrilled with all the responses here.
Life begins with birth pangs. That is the real beginning of the new journey of a new life. This is what a mother silently prepares for. All by herself, with the hand of God, in attendance !
So well said, Anjan
thanks
TY Rohini! Life itself is bittersweet, and your poem so well reflects that duality, that is built into every crest and valley we encounter! Happy Mothers Dy to you!
Thank you, Mallika… oh heavens I am so touched by everyone’s replies.
Well done Rohini! You must be thrilled. A heart-felt poem and lovely, apt picture. Offspring, especially…should read it! Hugs xx
They did! And my daughter says she can see that she was the inspiration for this poem! Gotta love kids…
Rohini…that is such a touching poem. I read it again and again. Wish you a lovely Mother’s Day.
Thank you Shereen
Your wonderful daughter forwarded this beautiful poem to me on Mother’s Day. It truly brought tears of happiness to me – thank you for your inspiration in writing it
Thank you Sharon!
Greetings ma’am,
A poem that was touching to the core. Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day. 🙂
Regards
Thank you all! I am so thrilled with all the responses and wishes. I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day