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If there’s one thing that carries us mothers through the (seemingly eternal) early mornings, hard times, and everything else in between… it’s our own, ever flowing, love we feel for our babies; a love that grows roots and blossoms like flowers (even when we feel absolutely cream-crackered – knackered – when we have no time or energy even to give.)
Maybe that’s why poetry on mothers again and again? We are beautiful, emotional beings after all, and words soothe our souls.
Because … there’s always a story to tell.
A universal one.
A human one.
Poetry On Mothers
Poets from the likes of Langston Hughes to Lucy Maud Montgomery, from Adrienne Rich to Lola Ridge, from Rudyard Kipling to Frances Ellen Watkins Harper have spent centuries trying to capture the depth of the ‘mothers love’ bond in words.
How do you tell the story of motherhood ~ the messy bits, the miracles, the solid gold moments in one short breath?
You turn to poetry.
Why Poetry and Mothers Belong Together
Motherhood is not linear.
It’s not tidy.
It’s not quiet.
But poetry is where the messy meets the meaningful and where the everyday becomes extraordinary.
Poetry gives us a place to lay down:
- the harsh things we wish we hadn’t said
- the difficult times we’re walking through
- the joy that bubbles up like sunlight on a summer day
- the fear
- the hope
- the wonder
- the not knowing
It gives us language when we feel speechless.
It gives us comfort when we need God’s help.
It gives us permission to be human when we’re trying so hard to be a good mother.
And isn’t it true that we see our own reflection more clearly when it’s held up through someone else’s words?
Why Mothers Deserve Poetry Every Day
To me, there is too much stimulation in the online world. My brain gets foggy, my mood gets bad, and I get snappy if I’ve been using a screen too much.
But poetry, especially in paper form rather than on a screen, is a true breath of fresh air. Those simple lines, those evocative words, the rhythm, the intentionality, it all contributes to a short yet intense few seconds of peace.
It gives me something meaningful (even if it’s not pretty)
Whether it’s a short poem, a beautiful poem, a love sonnet, an acrostic poem, or even your own last poem written to a mother you miss, words truly are a special gift.
The Sacred Threads of Motherhood
There is something divine woven into the role of a mother.
Something ancient, fierce, tender, drenched in love.
When you witness a mother:
- whispering a prayer over her sleeping child
- guiding her daughter through the painful twists of daughter relationships
- helping a child plant seeds of self-esteem
- offering open arms after a painful tumble
- carrying her family through hard times
…you understand why poets return to this theme over and over. Because mothers in all their forms are the shining stars of human experience.
Poetry Helps Us See Ourselves Again
Poetry reminds you that:
You’re not alone.
Your story matters.
Your inner strength is real.
Your journey, with all its mess and magic, is worth acknowleding.
And maybe this is why mothers read poetry?
To feel seen.
To feel softened.
To feel held.
To feel hope.
To remember that they were always, always enough.
Before You Go, Mama…
What do you hope they’ll remember, your children, from their childhood, about you? The laughter? The rituals? The way your open arms were always their safe place?
Tell me… what does “mother love” mean to you? Feel free to share in the comments below.
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