I call myself a writer, a poet,
and some folks say I’m pretty good
but I’m troubled by a feeling
that I never write the things I should.
I can write about adventures
or social problems all day long
but words always seem to fail me
when emotions run too strong.
A very wise poet once wrote,
“The most sacred tears are never shed.”
So the deepest pains and greatest loves
are rarely written down or said.
This must be why the strongest love
is such a challenge to convey
and this is why I'm struggling
with this poem for you today.
How can I ever begin to thank you
for the love you’ve given all my life
and the strength that love has given me
through all my struggles, pain and strife?
How can I thank you with only words
for the countless deeds you have done
or express how proud I’ve always been
to tell the world that I'm your son?
For thousands of delicious meals,
each one prepared without complaint.
For always listening to my problems
with the love and patience of a saint.
For the presents under the Christmas tree
wrapped with love in red and gold;
For all the happy birthday parties;
For the bedtime stories that you told.
My childhood was so happy and peaceful
and the world was such a wonderful place
when the last sight I’d see before sleeping
was your beautiful, smiling face.
How can I show my appreciation -
I don't even know where to start -
For healing my cuts and bruises
and, at times, my broken heart?
I would run to the ends of the earth
if you told me you wanted me to,
but I know you'd only tell me
that my love is enough for you.
And that's you in a nutshell, mom -
unselfish above and beyond the call.
That’s also why a mother's love
is the purest, richest love of all.
The fact is it's an impossible task
to thank you for all you've given me;
for being my most loyal supporter
through all of life's adversity.
So all I can offer is this little poem
written with a humble, helpless hand.
And all I can say is “Thank you, mom”
and hope and pray you understand.
Author notes
Written May 9th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- I want poems about your Mothers!!!!!!!!!! by dazed and confused.
300 points, ended May 13, 2004, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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Thanks, Lencio. If this is "not the average mother poem", it's because she's not the average mother. Of course, I'm a little bit biased. haha
Thanks,
Mark
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Honestly Mark, I have been going through the same situation as you are in this poem. I have only been thinking about a poem for my mother. But I say what will I say in it? How will I show the love on paper. Sincerely I have felt that yours is not that average "Mother" poems. This is the real thing, I many times feel, that we share the same kind of thoughts and emotions. Many people have written poems on this topic, most of them mere words which never arouse the reader. This one does more than that.
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You should print this and send it to every mother on earth!!! Except the ink-jet cartridge cost alone would bankrupt you
Again, you have a way with words...lots and lots of words 
Nice work...very touching!!
s' monk -
OK, now I'm weepy again...(& this from a tomboy who spent years practicing NOT crying!)...Mark, I KNOW, beyond any doubt, that your mother treasures this write & the MAN (her baby, no matter HOW old you get to be) who wrote this from profound emotion & devotion to one so deserving...I miss mine so very much...wrote one for what would have been her 80th birthday, called 'Flowers for the Lady'...I plant gardens in memory of the love, life, art, music & beauty that this wonderful woman lived & inspired in me...this is so heartfelt, so very lovely...your mother is a proud woman, for the boy that became a Man...swan
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oh and congrats on the win
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Very nice sentiments to your mother, so often you read other poems on this same subject and same style of writing and theirs are short, which makes it seem like a Hallmark card, this one has depth and meaning, and yes length, but I believe that that is what makes this poem so heartfelt and REAL!
Great job!
Autumn -
amazing
this poem...brought a tear to my eye...how could it not? you are an exceptional writer...i fully intend to read more of your work. -
B-
Ok, maybe I should say great job. But. . . I've been reading your work for an hour now. Although I liked this, I felt like it was a quickie. And for all of you who loved this. No, I couldnt do better. . . well maybe. My mom gives me lots of material. ha -
Mark , this is beautiful in it's simplicity ...plain words , no embellishment . It touched me as a mom , and for having a mom whom I dearly miss ( she is alive , but unfortunately we are separated by the Atlantic ) and I find myself even as an adult...sometimes just needing a mom . You and yours are definitely blessed , as this write obviously showed,
Reenie
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Sorry to hear you lost your mom, Steve. Thanks for commenting on this.
All the best,
Mark -
Well I can certainly see how you won with this one, it is a very touching and heartfelt write. Nice rhyme, flow, and full of emotion. It has it all. Congratulations on a job well done. Those Moms are priceless treasures and it's great you realize that. I lost mine 10 years ago in April and there's not a day that goes by that I don't miss her. Great write. Have fun. Steve
Edited on May 24, 6:35 p.m. because ''. -
Mark,
This was such a touching, personal, and beautiful write. You've really expressed your love for your mother, strongly!! I just know that if she had the chance to read this, she was filled with warmth, love, and the knowledge of knowing she raised a very proud son. You know she's proud of you, she loves you, and it's so awesome that you've written this for her. The truth of what she means to you, the little things you remember.... There are mothers out there that don't get to feel this love coming from their children. I really enjoyed reading this one, it brought smiles to my face.. bigtime. Thank you!!! I know I've read this before, but I needed to feel warmth and smiles needed to be on my face, and I just knew that by reading this...I would get just that.
~Aimee
Edited on May 23, 11:46 p.m. because 'Grr..spelling..'. -
awww. *sob. Precious. And how true it is that the deepest emotions cannot be conveyed simply through words, although we still have the ability to say as deeply as we can, how we feel. And if the other person, in this case your mom, is lucky enough to hear it with her own ears, then that is the greatest gift anyone could receive. Just wonderful..
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Beautiful!!!!
Mark... this is beautiful!!!! I know your mom was smiling from ear to ear, wiping away tears.. this write is very touching. I wish I could thank my mom like this, to make her see that I love her, that I appreciate all she's done... but I can't. I loved this write, the power of the love you have for your mom, all that she means to you, all that she's done for you. I can tell you feel more than just strong feelings for your mom.. you love her. Loved the way this poem flowed, and the way you've rhymed... excellent, Mark. I really enjoyed the read
~Aimee
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Hi Mark,
I knew that she's still with you! I guess I was just trying to say that you WERE lucky to have a mom like that as a kid, and you're STILL lucky to have a mom like that now! That's all.
See ya,
Kerry
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Thanks, Kerry. That would be "are". She's still with me, thank God. Can't imagine the world without her.
Hope you're having a good week. Thanks again for the help with the patterns, etc., last week
Mark -
A haiku? Me? The most long-winded writer at AP? Okay, I'll try. Here goes -
My mom sure is swell. (5)
Way better than other mom's. (7)
Heart as big as spring. (5)
(Note nature reference.) haha
Mark -
Hi Tammy,
I gathered from your comment that your mom has passed on. I'm sorry. I'm sure she does receive your poems, though. I believe the spirit world is all around us all the time but the wall between their world and ours is just too thick. It's usually an accident of some kind when we pierce it, like the ghost story of mine you read yesterday.
Anyway, I'm sure you made your mother very happy and proud while she was here, and I'm sure you still are.
Thanks,
Mark -
This is wonderful Mark,
I wish I could say these words to my mother.
I write her poems all the time and i try to put the thought that she is watching over my sholder and sees all that i say. And knows in her heart that i love her more every day...
This was a wonderful poem for you mother. She is lucky to have a son that loves her so..
Take Care and God Bless,
Tammy
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This is excellent..... now can you put it into a haiku?..... for my ADD.....
Wonderful work.
Don -
What a wondeful and beautiful Mother's Day gift to your mom. I liked this one a lot.
~Amanda~
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Beautiful tribute to your Mother..a wonderful Mother's Day gift! (hope she saw it)
Maureen
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Many times I have that problem writing about personal feelings.
I can see that you left that problem behind now. This is a beautiful tribute to your mother, very sincere words that come over with a smile.
I agree with Ballader, you are an amzing poet!
Chocolates hugs,
Mari
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Believe me when I tell you, I call you a writer, too - and a hell of a fine one. This is a good example of your skill...very nicely done, sir
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That's a great tribute to your mom. You were/are very lucky to have a mom like that.
~K
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