“This is insanity”, I shout at her rigid, receding back
her eighteen year old spine
has as much steel as did mine at her age
I curse under my breath
memories of distant past flood my troubled mind
It still lies in the dusty corner cabinet
beneath the silken, floral duvets
hidden and buried deep
but unforgotten
a piece of my past that I cannot erase
ever the rebel, in a fit of anger
to spite my mom
I had coloured my hair fuchsia pink
that one act of madness, of defiant delirium
a show of my cussedness
drove a wedge wide and gaping between us forever
The frostiness of our relationship
has not thawed with time
“Harlot” she had called me then
splintering an already tottering bond
forgiving and forgetting had gone past repair
I don’t want history to repeat itself
nor be the mother my mother was
with resigned footsteps and a forced smile
ruing my own foolhardiness
I make my way to her room.
https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/07/12/what-do-you-see-90-july-12-2021/
https://amanpan.com/2021/07/15/eugis-weekly-prompt-unforgotten-july-15-2021/
https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2021/07/15/reenas-xploration-challenge-190/
Well written!
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Thank you!
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Oh yes, when we recognize our parents in ourselves, and not in a good way, itβs time to behave differently. Thanks Punam for a wonderful poem.
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Yes, exactly! Thanks and my pleasure, Sadje.
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π§‘ππ
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Sometimes we just have to let our children be themselves π
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Yes, absolutely. π
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Haha! Sad but has the ring of truth! I remember the first time I heard my mother’s voice issuing from my own mouth! It is always wise to pick your battles…. This poem reads so smoothly – like water flowing in a predetermined course…
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Yes, Val…one should wisely pick one’s battles. Thanks so much.
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What a beautiful poem and a beautiful lesson! Wish our mothers knew better π
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Thanks, Reena. π
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A lovely poem, Punam and this is what we all go through as teenagers and young adults and our mothers behaviour so different and difficult.
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So we do, Kamal. Our experiences make us. Thanks a lot, dear. ππΌ
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Yes I completely agree with you, Punam. You are always welcome dear πππ
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A very beautiful and powerful poem. Itβs striking in how the narrator realizes the mistakes their parents made and how they donβt want to repeat that history with their own children. So many struggle in wanting to not become like their parents, but the greatest change is recognizing that and how things donβt have to be the same. Beautifully, beautifully said. πππ
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Yes, Lucy. The challenge is to change things. Thanks so much for your appreciation. ππΌβ€οΈ
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Ah, those youthful years of trying to show our individuality! Interesting, how past generations forget they did the same thing while in their youth. Brilliant piece, Punam.
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Delighted by your appreciation, Eugi! Thank you.
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Excellent piece.
“I donβt want history to repeat itself
nor be the mother my mother was”
we learn…
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So we do, Gabriela, so we do! Thanks so much.β€οΈ
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My pleasure sweetheart. Sending love.
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π·β€οΈπ€
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I love the line “I shout at her rigid, receding back
her eighteen year old spine”. This one line says so much! Then the realization as a parent, history repeating itself, and if we don’t want that, thenwe need to listen and choose to focus on what really matters. Well done!
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Yes absolutely, Heather. Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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Wow, girl, this is insanely good.
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You make me insanely happy.
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π
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Bo, how are things in Germany? Were you all affected by the floods?
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Nope, luckily. We don’t have such big rivers here. When you hear sth like that, it’s usually close to the Atlantic or the Danube or Rhine where it’s all flat.
Poor people. And this sad planet of ours. It’s telling us things, which se keep ignoring.
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Okay, got it.
Nah, we refuse to hear… Sad state of affairs every where.
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Yeah.
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This is awesomely good, Punam.
Forever? Really? Just because you dyed your hair once? … that seems… well… like it’s not the biggest deal in the world to me.
β€
David
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Lol David! Not my story. I don’t think different coloured dyes were available when I was a teenager. While in school a friend had chopped off her long tresses and her mom never forgave her for that!
I was an exasperating rebel…questioning everything. π
My mom and daughter are sweethearts.
Thanks so much. β€οΈ
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We learn from the mistakes of our parents. Great poem, Punam
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So we do! Thanks, Shweta. π
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β€π€
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sounds like a debate you might be up for soon π
Powerfully written, we all hear and understand this message sis!
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Thanks, dear.
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pleasure precious!
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A beautiful poem. Generation gaps exist at all times. Every generation feels, they didn’t give their parents a hard time, till they become parents. Your thoughts on reconciliation is the way to go, Poonam. Loved it.
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Yes, generation gap will always exist. Thanks so much, Usha.
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I love the reflection in this piece, Punam. Powerful, elegant, and transformative. Moving beyondβ¦just lovely. β€οΈ
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Yes, moving beyond. Thanks kindly, Jeff. β€οΈ
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You’re welcome, Punam. Always. β€
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Many girls have to face this. I guess once is enough for the mother as the society does not accepts deviations. Poor humans bounded by rules when there are none.
Love you writing as always (heart)
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Very true. Thanks a lot. ππΌβ€οΈ
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My pleasure always π (heart)
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‘I make my way to her room’.. So simple yet so heavy.. It said it all.. As usual.. πππ»ππ»π
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β€οΈππ€π
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Always obliged.
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Always a joy and pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, My Dear! Hope you have a great day!! xoxox ππππΉ
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I love this Punam. History has a way of repeating itself and we must learn from our parentβs mistakes. βΊοΈππΊ
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So it does, Christine and learn we must! Thanks a lot. πβ€οΈπ·
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My pleasure βΊοΈπΊ
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I think the thread of comments says it all, Punam. Brilliant piece with so much resonance for so many. The worst insult in my house is ‘you sound like your mother!’ – sad but true.
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We can’t escape being compared to our parents whether we like it or not. Thanks a lot, Chris.
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Wow!! Such an interesting take on the prompt! Loved itππ€
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Ah! I am so happy that you liked it. Thanks a bunch. β€οΈπ€
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ππ€
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age old mother daughter relationship struggles, I am inclined to think the mother had mistakes of her own that are still unresolved with her own mother. I so relate with your poem Punam, as all daughters and or mothers will too. Trivial matters tied up in delicate matters of the heart. Another brilliant piece of work from you.
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Gina, that’s exactly at the heart of this verse. Thank you so much for understanding.
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always my pleasure to read you my dear
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really nice punam! β€ β€
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Carol, thank you. β€οΈ
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Such a beautiful perspective!
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Thanks a lot!
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My absolute pleasure πΈ
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Wonderful! And so thoughtful too!
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Good one
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Thank you!
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