My mother said

Day 6: Take a look around Poetry International for a poem in a language you don’t know. Now, read the poem to yourself, thinking about the sound and shape of the words, and the degree to which they remind you of words in your own language. Use those correspondences as the basis for a new poem.

I chose Min Mor Sa by Athena Farrokhzad, a poem written in Swedish.  It was very long so I just took the first ten verses.  It came out a bit like Desiderata - OK, but not really me.  So I wrote another one based on advice my actual mother had given me,  and I much prefer that one.  On reflection I think they sit well together, and I've probably ended up with a poem as long as the original!  


Earth mother said

You must dig in the oldest forest
Before you can understand civilisation.

You are a drummer of what has gone before
Don't betray your ancestors with lingering. 

Look for the best in everyone
For this is the way to a happy life
You are living amongst friends. 

Don't worry about metaphysics or philosophy
Simply produce the best with what life offers you. 

Concentrate on life's silver linings
Don't waste time rushing around looking for something better. 

May you live well into old age
And have time to achieve your ambitions. 

         *    *    *    *    *    *

My mother said

You're the clever one,  your sister has all the looks, 
She'll have all the boys after her
Concentrate hard and pass all your exams. 

Don't let any boy touch you
They won't respect you,  they'll leave you
As soon as you give them what they want. 

Don't come crying to me about being unhappy
You've made your bed, now lie in it, 
Life isn't a bed of roses. 

Don't worry about being pregnant 
It's not a waste of your degree
Or of all my hard work to pay for it. 

Stay with us while you save for a deposit
No need for rent,  we're happy to help
I'll look after the baby,  she's no trouble at all. 

My mother was strong in opinion, soft in emotion,  
Wanting the best for me, within strict parameters,
Promoted harsh reality, dissappproved of my dreaming,
Left me too early,  before I understood.  

© Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

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