Wednesday, August 19, 2015

NEW POEM: Inspired by a Real Mom

Inspired by the day that I had to go through my Mom's purse to find the cell phone that we share.  In every pocket of her purse there was one of those little plastic wrapped reseal-able packets of facial tissues, some in little cloth holders. They are inconveniently about the same size as the cell phone.  She thought I was making fun of her when I told her I thought it brilliant: you didn't have to think about which pocket you'd put your tissues, because they were everywhere.  

The thought has stuck with me ever since: when you really need a tissue, for a whole variety of reasons, you don't really want to take the time to hunt for it. It's a very "Mom" approach.  So this is a little bit of sweetness; not really heavy, deep, and real.  "Sweet," after all, has an important place in our lives as well.

Dedicated to my Mother, and all my friends and colleagues who are mothers.  It's not Mother's Day, but lest we forget: you never take a day off from being a mom.

Mom’s Purse

By Judith Cullen
© 2015

Pockets, pockets, pockets
Full to bursting
Necessities and contingencies
Gathered for convenience

Pockets, pocket, pockets
Chambers of utility
A small packet of tissues
Tucked in every one

Pockets, pockets, pockets
Among keys and nail kits
Combs and safety pins
Paper tissue everywhere

Pockets, pockets, pockets
A mother needs these
No pause to think or look
Comfort within her grasp

Reach in the pocket for
Joy, Sorrow, Pride
Disappointment
Anger, and Celebration

Pockets, pockets, pockets
Tucked in every one
A small packet of tissues
There can never be enough


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