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These Mother's Daze

by A. Paige White

I've told you and told you
again and again
don't run in the house
it might hurt you when...

      ...I know, I know, I know
      again and again you insist
      The floor is much too slick
      adding traumas to the list

I've told you and told you
I've rung the alarm
don't run in the house
You might break your arm

      Oh Mom, you worry wart!
      You're just wasting your breath
      with a potential injury report
      ...quit nagging me to death!

Better slow it down some, Paige
or your butt will end up blue!
      God, Mama, at my age,
      Who'd have thought it could be true?

I've got a paddle handy
and right here is my brush
the nerve ... telling me to hush
I'll go get a big switch!

      But what didn't make your list
      is the one I had to do
      heading for the noise in a rush
      to bust my arse and sprain my wrist!

This is who we are and how we fuss
loving, somehow still alive
you at sixty seven
and me at forty-five!

05/07/2010

Author's Note: My daughter bought me a plane ticket (the BEST mother's day present, ever!) so I could come up and take care of my Mom who has sciatica (a terribly painful condition) from three herniated discs (Neurologist wants to operate-but she's scared to go under the knife, yet again). She really did break her arm (requiring surgery to implant pins because it wouldn't heal right) from going too fast around a corner in her kitchen last fall.
The phone woke me up this morning and in my half asleep state I was rushing to try to grab it before she tried to struggle up to get it. Scared her to death when she heard my terrible thud, IN THE SAME PLACE on the linoleum, running in her kitchen. Called my daughter to tell her what happened, to receive her, OH MY GOD! Y'all need a sign on the car now, " Get HELL out of the way, two handicaps on board!" Mama said some dear friend should probably run in front of the car, putting down rugs, so we don't slide down the mountain... We were already joking about how we MIGHT have a brain between the two of us... to try to write a poem together.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAZE!!!


Posted on 05/07/2010
Copyright © 2024 A. Paige White

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Charlie Morgan on 05/09/10 at 04:27 PM

...paige, you paint an exqusite pic of the day/week/moment/life...so happy for WHAT pome was saying...quite a pleasure to read life in-movement...and this one does...the Queen was awakened by the pea, eh? great capture...

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 05/13/10 at 12:12 PM

my mother is ninety two and she is still reciting her cautionary tale to me and it is not likely to end, nor do I wish it to, for that is what moms are for, among other things. this is a lovely poem Paige, in that it brings it all back to me.

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 05/22/10 at 03:43 PM

I like the sense of humor in this one. Well told story. :o)

Posted by Max Bouillet on 05/26/10 at 02:26 AM

This is a beautiful work. The alternating voices are very interesting --doubly so when you realize that you and your mother form a chain of ancestry and in some ways this is one author! Great work! :)

Posted by Joan Serratelli on 05/27/10 at 04:53 PM

Love the storylike quality. The repetition of phrases works well. From start to finish- a very brilliant work. Thanks for sharing!

Posted by Glenn Currier on 06/03/10 at 04:01 AM

You DO have an indomitable spirit probably aided much by your sense of humor. Now I know that you come by both honestly. Blessings to you both as you make your way up this rocky path. Thanks for sharing this collaborative, fun piece.

Posted by James Zealy on 06/16/10 at 03:51 PM

Mothers mother for ever, its just the way it is. Very funny Paige

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 08/03/10 at 11:58 AM

mothers can yell hell or high water to their kids and what the hell do kids know about hell or high water lest they are experience those things themselves and then the mother's voice will ring loud and clear and dear and then they will appreciate that voice like no other in their lives and even pass it down to their own kids. it will ring through the generations not as lore but something close to home and true.

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