THE MOTHER

[Maureen K Clifford]

THE MOTHER … Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet

So when pray ends this madness? Tell me when will we know peace?
Is war the God to whom we sacrifice both man and beast?
In Pagan times they did just that – we claim we’re civilized.
To me it doesn’t seem like that. I look with Mothers eyes.

Across the world regardless of what land you may call home
somewhere there is a mother sitting frightened and alone,
remembering that first sweet breath and fearing now the last
and knowing that she can’t be there, can’t stop the deadly blast
that might just steal a life away – a life that she helped form;
a life she nurtured over years that from her will be torn
in moments brief and agonized, on soil far, far away
and she is lost and helpless and can do nothing but pray.

A mother’s arms are loving and a mother’s arms are strong
but they’ve no magic powers to protect or cure what’s wrong.
The mother’s heart is breaking for her world’s in its demise
and there’s none to blame but man who’s born of woman as she cries.

[Terry]

A very touching poem Maureen, and as you say Mothers are strong - They have to be!

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Indeed they do Terry - thank you - I had in mind the Mums of the two executed drug smugglers when I wrote this - your heart has to go out to them - but Mother Nature also suffers at the hands of her children and it has always been thus as history tells us.

[DollyDot]

Hi Maureen
I missed reading this earlier. Sorry! It is truly beautiful. I had similar thoughts inspired I guess by ANZAC day. As a mother it is hard to imagine the waiting and worrying, yet hoping your child won't die. I am sure it's not part of 'the great plan' for us to kill each other.

Nice one!

Dot

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks Dot - I am sure it is not, I hate killing anything but for some people it seems to be a genetically wired program.

[Neville Briggs]

The Spartan mothers were pretty tough, apparently they used to tell their sons " come home carrying your shield, or carried on it '

[Heather]

That's tough love Neville.

[Catherine Lee]

Beautiful poem Maureen, and the sentiments so true. I really like the last two lines as they give a strong finish