Creative TraditionalCelebrating Mother Earth? Seasonal, Traditional & Rhyming poetry posts here. (i.e. sonnet, limerick, haiku & all other poetic forms as seen in the Poetry-Defined section.)
Ihstenha (Mother)
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Note: the pic is of my mom and aunt. Mom is the one standing. She just had her 80th birthday. Aunt Mary passed away 8 months ago. Ihstenha is the Mohawk word we use for Mother. It also means Aunt. Literally, it does not mean either aunt or mother, it means: She-who-guides-me.
Ihstenha (Mother)
Born in 1926,
married in '42,
raised 10 children then left widowed,
what more was she to do?
Well she went back for schooling,
(she'd only had grade 2)
and at the young age of 60,
was learning something new.
She learned the ways of teaching,
it seemed important to,
for she held our Native language,
to give to me and you.
Now at 80 years of age,
her dancing days are through,
still teaching and making music,
though slower now, it's true.
Yet still a zest for living,
undaunted by the view,
as she looks back and remembers,
the things that she lived through.
This poem is for you, Mom,
to show my love and pride,
for all you've done and yet will do.
Mother, teacher and guide.
Last edited by Altree94; 11-19-2006 at 09:46 PM.
Reason: to add pic.
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TY Amzy & Jeez!
Wow, you guys are fast! I only just now posted this!
BTW - I did give this to Mom and she really liked it except for the line - "her dancing days are through". She said I lied and danced her walker across the room to prove it!
I guess I should have said "step-dancing"!
HI, MY SWEET AND DEAR TREE!! WOW!! I just can´t believe that, I have spoken to you for almost an hour or so in the Chat Room. It was almost Midnight here, in this corner of the world. We have different Time Zones. You mentioned about your poem and the picture of your mom. So, here I am, reading and looking at this wonderful picture of your mom. She looks so pretty and healthy!! You are SO BLESSED TO HAVE A MOTHER!! I am Not that Lucky!!...My mother was murdered in this Country of South America, in January 1986, over 20 years ago. I was in New York at that time. I was not able to save her, since she was alone. Then, I became an ACTIVIST FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS, afterwards...She lost her dear life in the hands of butchers, who pretended to be doctors. They made medical malpractice on her, and she died in a Private Clinic after a simple routine check-up. Shortly before that, my mom and I were making plans to see each other again in the following days. She was OK. and so Happy to see me again!! I had already bought my plane ticket. But, I came here for her Funeral instead of enjoying her dear life with me. She was indeed, too young to die. My mom was only 60 years old. I was 32 back then. My heart was broken into million pieces, and that event changed my life forever. I am a much different woman than the way I used to be...You are so blessed to have your dear mom with you. Take good care of her, sweetheart!! Say Hi from me to her!! You see, I am an Activist for the Human Rights and the Animals´Rights, including the Environment. I would rather die, before I give up my fighting for the RIGHTS TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE...God Bless You, Tree!! God Bless your mother!! I love this poem, all your poems, the poet and the picture. Thank you for sharing this treasure of yours with me!! Hugs and Love, from Stardust.
Hi Tree!! I forgot to tell you one more thing...My father passed away in 1989 at the age of 73. He needed a Heart Transplant, since he had a Heart Failure long before he died. I have no brothers and no sisters, no siblings. My parents had only me, their only child. I had only one daughter myself. I have 2grandchildren. They all live in New York. So, my family is really small. I have my hubby, my animals and my heart full of dreams. God Bless You, Tree!! Hugs and Love, from Stardust.
Biography: Jacquii Cooke is a 32 year old Black Poet from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As Webmistress of Poetry in Color Forum, she is devoted to the more abstract styles, especially those with a strong feminine voice that center around the topic of redemption and righting the wrongs of past transgressions.
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I was gonna be cynical.... but I won't....
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL POEM and tribute.
Quote:
for she held our Native language,
to give to me and you.
Allow me to be cynical for just one moment.... The highlighted quoted above... MS TREE, can you imagine the beauty when such royally beautifulness is unleashed? ---- I can & I think it would have similar effect that your poem has had on me.... Hate to toot my own horn - but truly = Good thing!
