Last year on Mother’s Day, we gathered for my father’s funeral, all together, happy to have each other to hold. I am a mother who is blessed to have two living mothers, my own and my mother-in-law, who said years ago when someone called me her daughter, “I’ll claim her.”
A long line of belonging
begins with mothers
to me
to my three daughters
to their children.
We are miracles
dancing beside each other.
My brother texted me a video this week of my mother with her assisted living friends in a circle singing “Amazing Grace.” I responded, “When I am old, I want to sing hymns.”
My mother-in-law (affectionately called “Minga”) recites the 23rd Psalm in French every night before she sleeps.
Every night, my daughter reads Madeline to her daughter, “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.”
There is a song inside of me that I wrote after Joni Mitchell for my granddaughter June. She doesn’t know it yet, but I hope she will one day.
Little June
after Joni Mitchell’s “Little Green”
Born with the moon in solstice.
Choose her a name she will want to say.
Call her June so December cannot freeze her.
Call her June for the rosy warmth of her skin.
Little June, be a strong butterfly.Just a little June
Margaret Simon
like the brightness of a summer’s day.
There’ll be dandelions to pick for Mom tomorrow.
Just a little June
like when sprinklers make the water spray.
There’ll be bicycles and birthday bows
And cousins you will follow.
Reflections on the Teche 
Love this image/ metaphor you close your poem with, and the mother-daughter lineage here and throughout your post,
“We are miracles
dancing beside each other.”
“Little June” is lovely thanks for it and building it from Joni Michell’s “Little Green” which was soothing to awaken to. And a pic that fills you up!
I am home recovering from surgery and you perked me up and warmed my heart with your beautiful writing today. Such a special tribute for Mothers Day and Little June is precious💗💞
Beautiful photo of June getting some sugar from her mom — perfect accompaniment to your loving poem ❤ Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!
I don’t know the Joni Mitchell song, but I LOVE your poem. And that photo! Happy Mother’s Day, Margaret xo
I love this whole post, but especially these lines:
“Call her June so December cannot freeze her.
Call her June for the rosy warmth of her skin.”
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks. She has the biggest rosiest cheeks. They are not from the Simon side.
Love both of those, Margaret. “Just a little June
like when sprinklers make the water spray” reminds me of the joy of a Jackson summer, too.
Without the mosquito trucks. Ha!
I love the mothering love you’ve shown all the way from there to here with “Little June”, Margaret. (Our family used to laugh & sometimes say “mothering/smothering”) but in a good way! Happy Mother’s Day to all!
I know. It’s a difficult balance.
I love your post today, Margaret! It was the first I read this morning. Your words are joyful and celebratory for little June! What a priceless gift you’ve given her! Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day, Margaret – we’re on a similar page today for sure. Love your poem for Baby June (and the bluebonnet joy) – esp. the lines Rose picked out! Thanks for sharing, & best wishes to all your generations…..
What a gift – two mothers! “miracles/dancing beside each other” – Blessing on blessing on blessing, them, you, your daughter, June.
What a sweet, sweet post. I love the loving way you describe your mom and the text from your brother and the belonging that connects that to your daughters and grandaughters. What blessings…what belonging. Happy Mother’s Day!
Margaret, I am sorry that I missed this beautiful blog post. Little June looks like a happy baby. Love your poems.