An Apple Falling Too Close To Truth



Random stiches held us
when discord plucked at
the thread of family ties.

Eyes blue, begging approval,
wished for rainbows to shine
after each storm of words.

Mama, I was an apple
falling too close to your truth,
a genetic mirror reflecting broken.

I now sing the song, you wouldn’t.
My heart strives for so much more
when yours settled for less.

In the silence I reach for your voice
to speak all you stored in regrets.
I write the truth your tears could never explain.


©Susie Clevenger 2014


 Real Toads ~ So Much Mine

Comments

Vandana Sharma said…
Though parents will always be our inspiration but stones we have to churn our own path.
May 23, 2014 at 10:00 PM
Vandana Sharma said…
Oops I meant sometimes and not stones.
May 23, 2014 at 10:01 PM
Jim said…
Hi Susie ~~ Thank you for writing this, it did me good. I am glad your poetic voice and heart is telling what your mom didn't. Both my parents had unfinished dreams, Mom was quieter about hers than Dad. Dad had to leave school after the 10th grade to help Grandpa on the farm. Dad had wanted to be a lawyer. He felt so very good about getting his GED and then taking some college classes. (At a midlife I got a law degree, partly for him. He was proud of that.)

Mom didn't express herself much but lived through the family. She had greenish eyes like mine. Hers were sooo soft and caring but elsewise very hard to read.

Thank you again, your words were very touching. And truly "Mom in a nutshell."
May 24, 2014 at 4:03 AM
Fireblossom said…
In many ways, this could be my story, too.
May 24, 2014 at 5:11 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
Mama, I was an apple
falling too close to your truth,
a genetic mirror reflecting broken.

Someone should pay you for those lines.
May 24, 2014 at 7:57 AM
Marian said…
wow... a mirror reflecting broken. that is a perfect turn of phrase, Susie.
May 24, 2014 at 8:14 AM
Helen said…
If your poem didn't bring tears to my eyes. ... reading comments did!
May 24, 2014 at 9:27 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Whoa! does this poem ever speak to me. "Mama, I was an apple, falling too close to your truth"....and then the wanting more......I hear you, Susie. I sing the same song.
May 24, 2014 at 12:30 PM
Kay L. Davies said…
Oh wow... that last line, Susie!
Luv, K
May 24, 2014 at 12:41 PM
Kathryn Dyche said…
I'm sure this falls too close to the truth for many of us. Really loved this heartfelt write.
May 24, 2014 at 2:24 PM
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