My son, what joy I've had to help you grow!
Since you began from tiny seed, esteem
that sprouted when you came into our lives
has grown with you, I feel a wholesome pride.
Those early years, how little did we know!
We stood beside headwaters of a stream;
as trees by waters' edge will grow and thrive,
we grew ourselves by acting as your guide.
And now as manhood looms, where will you go?
Your life is yours to choose; but as we dream,
our fortune comes, and vital hope survives
by taking our discouragements in stride.
The world is wide, and seldom is it fair;
but always, son, my love goes with you there.
Author notes
an abcd sonnet, rhyming abcd abcd abcd ee
If you have encountered this rhyme scheme in an older poem, I would be most interested to see it.
Written May 20th, 2005
In a list
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Comments
1 - 26 of 26
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As the mother of an older son, this is very touching to me and the handprints background, I just out and out covet. Yes, I like how subtle the rhyme appears here with the repetitions and variations set farther apart than in other sonnet types. It's cool.
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Thank you Marcy
first the bg is my creation, based on a swatch photo from a fabric warehouse, so feel free to copy.
I should write another of these; the last one went into the refuse bin.
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MmmmHmmm...
Ah, the joys of motherhood...I am so glad to read this...makes my heart happy. I so get it, Margaret...thanks for sharing it with me...I can even feel the sense of anxiety as he grows and learns, by mistakes, perhaps, how to live life his way, but ever covered by your love...Peace, Rhonda
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That is it - we all know that mistakes are the best teachers, but some mistakes close doors to opportunity that we wish would stay open! However, diversions can lead to other unforeseen roads, which are as good or better. It is hard to keep clear about just whose life it is, sometimes, but love helps us to guide without overbearing (we hope!). Thank you for applause, I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
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Thanks Yem.
It's been a journey, I didn't think I could be a mother at times. Others, it's pure joy. We have enough nuts in the cupboard that I can commiserate. 
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I love my last line of my previous comment, lol. And my second comment...darn, I belong on the stage! lol.
Mom's are like everything to me...their love and sacrifice astounds me...well the good ones...the bad ones pretty much eat their young.
No, the world isn't often fair...all the more reason to cling to family and friends and try to create that little Utopia of all things wonderful. Hope you are able to do that in some small way with your family...and no, my family are all nuts, but will try to have a small sample of it someday with Mariza. -
Hi Yem, This is another poem I wrote for my son. You read it last May.
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Thank you Sau. Indeed, children are a great blessing.
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Wish you best, and a motherhood that becomes happier and happier!
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Thanks, wbiro. All I have is gratitude.
Edited on May 23, 6:24 p.m. because 'left all out'. -
Yes, no wonder you entered this in my 'give me your average poem' contest- in spite of it's qualities, it is the type that always seems to get lost in the shuffle and overlooked by the poems with more flair- but it is poems and themes like this that are the foundation of our existence!
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Here I am again
The feelings you describe in this poem, are the feelings that every mother should have for their children. It's such a joy to see them growing up and to know that they are a part of us, and that they may count with us always.
Your immense love for your son is the best present you two can give to each other.
Kisses,
Mari
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Thank you Sea. I feel just as blessed to be his mother.
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Powerfully strong ending
This is a beautiful poem for your son with a strong and powerful and beautiful end that brought a tear to my eye with happiness for you and your sons good fortune to have you for his mother.
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Thank you Mr. S, I'm happy you like the form and content.
It reads like blank verse, except that the same sounds come up regularly.
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Interesting rhyme pattern – with the rhymes so far apart I can’t actually make it rhyme – as in musical pattern… although you still pick up the subtle echoes when you reach them. I think I might well have a play with this form thank you for the introduction – Oh, and nice tribute to your son in this age of wayward children! Good luck in the contest!
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Dear Ankita, thank you for your serious reflection on the sentiment. I'm happy to receive your comment.
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Lovely poem. It potrays a mother's affection for her child beautifully. It is my pleasure to come across such a nice work of poetry. Even the hint of sadness of the child growing up to leave has been potrayed in a really nice manner.
great work! keep it up!
Ankita -
Thank you Del, I enjoyed writing this too. What I intend in the third quatrain is a projection of my own experience on my son's future. He's entering high school next year, but he'll leave home too soon anyway.
Thanks for reading, and gracious comments.
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Hello Margaret,
Perhaps it is just me, but in addition to the sense of pride from having done your parenting job well, I also sense some hint of disappointment as though perhaps the choices made by your young adult children were a departure from your expectations...this then, leading to some self doubt about the kind of job you did. May be reading far too much into this, yet I know from personal experience these feelings can and will creep into our thoughts.
Technically, this was a joy to read as all of your works have been and I offer my applause.
Cheers and s,
Del -
Dear Patricia, you have described your children and grandchildren so beautifully! I'm glad this poem brought you happier memories.
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Margaret, your lovely sonnet holds such beautiful memories for me with my four children. They are born to fit so easily into your lives until you have no idea any more of what life was like without them. Then they grow up and leave you, make a life of their own, and their children--they fit into your life as if they had always been there, too.
Thank you for the memories, my friend. Hugs, Patricia -
Yem, you're just trying to make trouble. I must admit a decided partiality to these two, though if I had had two others, I would love them just as much.
Edited on May 20, 6:00 p.m. because 'partiality'. -
"These kids?" Sounds impersonal...I bet you've forgotten their names!
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Thanks Yem. There have been worries and terrors, but on the whole, it's great to have these kids.
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This is nice. And I know from my one botched attempt at a sonnet that it isn't easy!
Must be quite a journey, watching a child grow from infancy to adulthood. Filled with worries and concerns---and yes I know about the rewards, but still, worries are worries. I guess he's too big to beat now so I'm at a loss as to parenting advice...
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