love songs of innocence―no. 5

soft reflections on maternal love
 
“A mother's lap is the abode where you weep, sleep and find peace;
no fear can intrude, all worries are removed, and love is absolute
and supreme.”―Shah Asad Rizvi
 
she could not bend a corner without me
tiptoeing in the echo of her song;
nor could i from her gentleness cut free,
her apron string my tether all day long.
 
her eyes of kindness spoke a thousand words
lips could not utter, in a single glance;
her laughter fluted like the broken chords
of harvest harps that wooed my confidence.
 
my mother was the middle wall between
my father's sternness and my erring soul;
her shoulders were a rock on which to lean
when confrontations raged out of control.
 
torn clothes she stitched, and mended broken hearts;
healed up bruised knees, disheveled spirits calmed;
zapping the sting out of slow-poison darts;
nor rancour raged she had not forthwith balmed.
 
guardian of nights too dark for fearless sleep,
she lullabyed the minutes with sweet dreams;
and when my slumberfest fell soft and deep,
the stars peeped down in gently flowing streams.
 
© Copyright 2023 July 22
by Clyve A. Bowen♫