The pin

Posted on Categories Poetry

My mother

was not one for symbols

poetry, flowers, song

Life was survival

drawing within the lines

propriety

avoiding illness, death, disgrace

She loved in a quiet way

I love you, not said

was to be understood

shown in service

in food prepared

in time given

in a kiss goodnight…

She offered her token

with shyness

surprised to discover

it would be treasured

(did I not show my love?)

an ornate but simple pin

of her mother’s mother, Catherine

C Mc K,

entwined initials

of a mother who died young,

a connection in my hands to

to touch

to wander with

into invisible realms.

~

Inspired by dVerse Tuesday Poetics: Threads of Feeling

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Published by Janice

My name is Janice.  I started blogging as Ontheland when I moved from Toronto to a rural area near Kingston, Ontario in Canada.  Over time I have found myself writing poetry, mostly in Japanese forms, such as haiku and haibun.  One of my deepest interests is the natural world: the joy of it and how we can look after it better.

28 thoughts on “The pin”

  4. Janice, this is a beautiful poem describing your mother’s love for you
    and your dawning understanding of her way of singing a love song.
    Then this precious pin that connects her with you ….along with memories
    forever there.
    Miriam

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  5. I like this because of its humanity. There is no necessity to be forever saying—I love you. It’s something that has to be shown, not mouthed. That slinging around of ‘love you’s makes me curl up, to be honest. It’s often completely vacuous. Your mother had it right. Lovely poem, Janice.

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