The Kitchen Table
The other day I sat across from my mom
at our kitchen table
scuffed from years of dinners and art projects
the wood worn down
it had lost its shine.
I remember when I could still see my reflection
in its mahogany glaze,
When my feet couldn’t reach the floor
and I could barely see over the edge of the table.
It was a simpler time.
Now,
sitting across from you
the disease eating away at your mind
I plead you to remember, however
your memory,
like this table
has been worn down over the years.
I remember when you’d pick me up, look into my eyes and
bring me to your chest
I could feel your warmth
radiating through me
Now,
looking at you
sitting across this kitchen table,
I see an empty shell where you used to be.
I reach into the holes in your memory
trying to find that same warmth you had
I shudder
as I am greeted only by the cold.
The light has gone out of your eyes, glazed over
you seem to stare right through me.
And I long for the times when
my feet couldn’t reach the floor
and I could barely see over the edge of the table,
because now seeing you
sitting across from me
I don’t see my mother,
I see her disease.
This is really good! I like what you did with this poem, and how it evokes emotions in the reader(me). I also think that the repetition you had towards the end really adds to the meaning of the poem.
ReplyDeleteThis poem was very well written. You've got a really nice flow going, and the meaning behind the poem elicits emotional response from the reader very well. What was really powerful was in the last two lines when you say, "I don't see my mother, I see her disease," which really hits the reader hard.
ReplyDeleteI really like this poem and your use of the table to give us a sense of nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteI like how the poem transitions from your younger self and its simpler perspective vs the current one that is constantly plagued by what she sees.
ReplyDeleteGolden line "I don’t see my mother,
I see her disease."