On My Last Child Leaving Home
Even the thought of it makes me feel queasy
like the first day of the flu
I swear even my teeth ache
a kind of fever of my soul
a chill in my spirit
a loss of appetite of the female psyche.
Everyone tells me about the empty nest
that I must not look back--
when bowls were filled
with Cheerio’s and Kraft macaroni and cheese
and I was teaching how to say thank you’s and please.
And Goodnight Moon’s pages were pleasantly worn
and Candy Land
and Chuttes and Ladders
were the only things that really mattered.
What will become of my butterfly kisses
that tickled your nose?
Who will wish you sweet dreams
and add another blanket when its cold?
It seems only yesterday you asked me to play Maid Marian
and you’d be Robin Hood
You said, “ I want to marry you, mommy”
It was so cute, and I understood.
Don’t look back they say--to
yesterday
back to when the nest
was filled
with things like love and kids--
Linda R. O'Connell Copyright 2009
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awww
you're so sweet, linda. must be tough seeing the last one off... what a lovely poem and tribute this is. he's lucky to have a mom like you!
God Neo, it really is hard
Just writing that poem i couldnt see the keyboard...my eyes hurt alot lately from tearing up! ...
Neo, my son is happy to be heading off to college and ready for it. Im happy for him too. He is right where he is supposed to be.
I know it will pass, this feeling (it did with my other son) but this total empty nest thing is brutal...
thanks for reading and being so sweet Neo! You cheered me up!
xo
Linda
glad i could
hang in there, my friend!
~You're All Heart~
If everyone had a Mom like you, the world would be full of rainbows! I am a Mother of three young adults and I know what you are feeling. Our children are our everything! Take care. Great writing!
Warm regards,
Kathy
you're so nice Kathy!
Thank you for the kind words...and for understanding how i feel..
i just had to let it out and write about it for a day or two...im good now...(sniff)
xoxo
Linda
Oh Linda
Kathy said it well, you have such a big heart... I could not help but grin when I read "I want to marry you,mommy", that was sweet...you set the bar high tho, how will they find another women as special as you... Well on second thought, I think they will know what to look for... hey, don't stay down for long, now there is the next step .... you know, "grandma", lol... oh, or are you already a "grandma"... you know that is the best, you can spoil the kids and give back to the parents, good heartfelt post-Lee
you are great Lee
You have made me laugh this morning....im glad you liked this write...i liked the part about "i want to marry you" too....all little boys say that im sure around 5 years old...i used to tell my dad i wanted to marry him when i was around that age...
yeah...the next step will be grandma..but not for a while im sure...(give me a little more time...) although I would LOVE it even now.
Lee talk about a big heart?? yours is as big as a watermelon !!! I love seeing that in you! Thank you my friend for always being so sweet. you are a gem!
xo
Linda
Now I'll start crying!
awww Linda this is so tender from your heart, what a poem-let it all out, you'll feel much better (says me, sniff sniff) they'll all come back one day though, then your nest will be so full it's over-flowing! :D ♥
I'm good now jewel
i got it all out in those empty nest writes. i just have to make it, when i kiss him goodbye at the college. i know the whole ride home i'll be sobbing. but then i'll be ok...think of all the new poems to write about!!!
thanks jewel
xo
Linda ♥
There's always a positive
because they're never truly gone, just away...soon to return-keep going buddy! :D ♥