Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Chris Margos of Spiritual Thursday suggested this verse to write about this month. With Mother’s Day big and bright in every gift store, it’s hard not to think of my first Mother’s Day without a mother. The sadness I feel; however, is calmed by being surrounded by the best mothers I know, my daughters. All three of them are in the deep throes of motherhood, juggling it all, with professional lives and kids, and they are crushing it!
Yesterday I went shopping with my youngest daughter. The other women in the store and dressing room were charmed by her interest in finding me some cute new clothes. Martha was happily taking pictures of me and texting her sisters. It was a sweet scene, I admit. I am blessed they all want to spend time with me (and help me dress better!)
A page of my new book is dedicated to my mother, who my oldest daughter renamed as GiGi when she made her a great grandmother. My illustrator, Drew Beech, used a photo of my mother with my daughter as a child to create the illustration.
See, Mom! I am doing a new thing! I love that I can share my mother every time I read aloud my book. After all, it was in her lap that I became a reader.
For Poetry Friday, I am in with an Elegy for Mothers using the duplex form created by Jericho Brown. This poem is dedicated to all who have lost a mother, and every mother who has lost a child.
Elegy for Mothers (A Duplex)
after Jericho Brown
The rain sounds like a mother weeping,
softly kissing away touches of pain.
Mother washes away pain with a kiss
as her child nestles in her embrace.
The child will leave her embrace someday—
Memory echoes in her lullaby.
When memory echoes her lullaby,
hushing sounds of the storm calm outside.
Winds brush the chimes of time
like the sound of a mother singing.
Mother rocks on the soles of her feet
feeling the rhythm of life changing.
The rhythm of life is always changing
when the rain sounds like a mother weeping.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
What a beautiful post! I love that your daughters are helping you become fashion forward (memory-making) and I love your poem honoring the pain of losing a mother or a child.
Beautiful heartfelt poem Margaret. I love how your first line transforms and grows the poem together in the last line. And how special that you can share your mom via the page in your new 📕 book, thanks for all!
So much love here, Margaret. Mother love, daughter love, and a beautiful poem in a challenging form. I like the movement of “Mother rocks on the soles of her feet/ feeling the rhythm of life changing.” I can feel her trying to comfort herself, trying to ride the wave of change.
Such a moving poem, Margaret (my mother’s name too). Enjoyed hearing about your going clothes shopping with your daughters. Sending hugs for Mother’s Day (I know just how you feel).
Margaret, what a gentle and touching poem about loss, it’s beautiful. The Duplex form is new to me, but I see how the repetition adds to its lovely rhythm and meaning. Yes, I relate to your daughter stories, young moms so busy and crushing it and assisting with wardrobe updates, I have one of those too:) Happy Mother’s Day to you! Jill
This entire post is lovely from the opening verse to the rain sounding like a mother weeping. Your Mom is so cute in the photo! I love it. And, to have time with daughters fussing over you–that is just memory gold. Enjoy every moment. You are crushing grandmotherhood! I’m inspired by the portraits you give us of sweet family life. You are blessed…and so are we who get to read your poetry. Happy Mother’s Day!
So lovely…and I love that the best mothers you know are your daughters. Precious! xo
Margaret, what a beautiful duplex poem. I love that you are here weaving family memories from your mother to the new mothers to the next generation. That lovely two-page spread must be a delight–as you see yourself, your daughter, Thomas (and all your other grandchildren) in the lap of your own mother. Happy Mothers Day! Happy Grandmothers Day too!
Oh, this is beautiful–I don’t know this poem form, but I think I love it! “Winds brush the chimes of time like the sound of a mother singing.” Goodness. ❤
Oh, my goodness — as someone who has lost children (five miscarriages) and lost her mother two years ago, I was so touched reading this, Margaret. “The rain sounds like a mother weeping” is so evocative.
And it’s so beautiful that the best mothers you know are your daughters. They deserve that shout-out. Happy Mother’s Day to them!
Such a lovely poem. I had not heard of a duplex. I noticed on the reread how the lines change slightly but repeat in the next. So interesting! The images you use are soothing like a lullaby and so poignant. To all the mothers who have lost children, I see you.
A beautiful post, Margaret. Your daughters sound like wonderful young women who love you lots! How fun to go shopping with them. I look forward to having Julia as a “new” daughter this fall when she and my youngest son get married. Her mom texted me today and called me her Bonus Mom – a title I am already proud to have!
I love that you will be gaining a daughter soon. All my best for your mother’s day.
Thanks, Margaret. I love Julia as if she were my own.
Margaret, I am finally able to find time to read posts. Yours is a lovely one to read on Mother’s Day. Your opening lines are beautiful with it’s lovely simile. “The rain sounds like a mother weeping,
softly kissing away touches of pain.” Great format for the Elegy for Mothers.
Margaret, I come late to the posting and commenting, Mother’s Day having come and gone. Your poem touches my heart with its lilting and lyrical truths. The rhythm of life really is always changing for a mother, and yes, there is rain and weeping. Children grow up and leave home…and take Mom shopping for new clothes! Such a wonderful scene, a moment of light in the shadows of loss that mark the anniversary of your mother’s passing. The illustration taken from a real photo of your mom, for your new book – what a fantastic memorial to her. I also want to thank you for the postcard and poem with the cypress. A favorite tree of mine, rooted in my ancestral past…also symbolizing life and death, mourning, endurance, and God’s provision. Thank you for being you and for putting so much beauty into the world.
Such a beautiful tribute, Margaret. And what a gift to be accompanied on this walk as a motherless daughter by your daughters.
Such a beautiful tribute, Margaret. And what a gift, to be accompanied on this journey of motherless daughters by daughters.