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She wore a white
sheet
toga-pinned
and
sarong-cinched—
though she
wouldn't
know those
terms
until
years later—
to play
bride and
hostess and
goddess and
princess
and
wonder
woman’s
amazon
island sisters.
Mother sat
on
the steps
to draw
her in
charcoal
and crayon,
putting
gentle
waves in
her
baby-blonde
hair
rather
than the
truer
snarls and
tangles
that came
with
cramped living
and
depressed moods.
The
ten-year old
frowned at
her shape
in the
colored
portrait.
It didn't
match
Shirley-Temple-
Story-Hour
fantasies
of
bell-shaped
gowns and
narrow
waistlines
but more
her
baby-dolls
and Teddy
Bears.
The sheet
had failed
but the drawing
was mother’s love.
was mother’s love.
She
sketched two girls
that
day—not one—
facing
each other
in flower
crowns
and silk
veil-curtains
transformed
transformed
by the
sweetness
of their
time
together.
Posted for my prompt at Poets United: Midweek Motif ~ Children.
This prompt will open Wednesday Morning at 7 am EST.
This prompt will open Wednesday Morning at 7 am EST.
Copyright © 2014 S.L.Chast
it's interesting how we see ourselves - and how others see us - and how a loving mother interprets what she sees on a sheet of paper...
ReplyDeletemothers see us often for who we could be more than who we are...if only we could see ourselves through the same lens....smiles.
ReplyDeleteExtremely beautiful, and so touching. I love that the mother "sketched two girls that day."
ReplyDeleteAww, Susan... I love this... the skewed self-image offset by a mother's loving eyes.
ReplyDeleteah...the mother's eyes and her love...what a beautiful sketch of words and lines
ReplyDeleteThis has a dream-like quality to it... Just beautiful! *sighs*
ReplyDeleteWhat a poem of love this is. How wonderful to have a mother with the talent of drawing. You have captured a very touching experience with your words.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteA very lovely bond and relationship with mother/daughter captured so well in many dimensions in your poem.
The sketch displays the wording so accurately:)
Eileen
I enjoyed the scene you painted for us, Susan. I am sure you are glad you still have the sketch.
ReplyDeletebeautiful so tender yet so strong in the natural bond of love and relationship
ReplyDeleteI like it! Hope that came from a memory somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about the dressing up days when you are ten.
ReplyDeleteand a mother's love and foresight, buying three pastel coloured long nightdresses for Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and whoever else was in vogue amongst my friends at the time. at sleep-overs.
Nice to be reminded by such a lovely poem.
The mirror of our girls in our eyes a beautiful picture that will one day be reflected in their eyes.I love the drawing and the story it tells.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful in every way!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Susan. I remembered all the dress-up times.
ReplyDeleteThis really comes alive..i suppose all of us may be a little surprised if we were to be drawn..i hope in later years she saw how beautiful both the act and the image were..
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memento to still have from your childhood. A beautiful drawing through a mother's eyes.
ReplyDeleteA tender "memory"; a connection. Beautifully conveyed; the way a mother would see it! Thank you, Susan.
ReplyDeleteTouching reflection...and your response then was just appropriate for your level of self-knowing...~ Lovely poem.xx
ReplyDelete