Love Behind The Armor

Posted on February 6, 2021 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  Poets and Storytellers United
Weekly Scribblings #55 - "What You Resist You Become"

"Write about turning into one of your parents or about 
resisting such a fate."  (posted by Rosemary)


Mom was intelligent, attractive,
and funny.  Yet, to this day 
I battle against becoming her
even as I yield to the fact 
that she was instrumental
in setting my moral compass, my
sarcastic sense of humor,
and love of reading.

What I armor myself against
was her constant sense
of disappointment 
and bitterness with 
her life.  Her green eyes 
envied everyone else who 
she decided had a better life, 
than she.  So far, I have been
successful in that regard.

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
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11 Responses to Love Behind The Armor

  1. Jim says:
    February 6, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    And it is sad to see your mom troubled. I am sorry for the both of you that she found nothing to boost her ego and self opinion.
    Very nicely written for a tough situation. Thank you for sharing with us, it helps to know each other better, where, what, we came frome.
    ..

    Like

  2. Margaret Schaff Bednar says:
    February 7, 2021 at 3:05 am

    “Back in the day” and “Those were the days”… weren’t always so great for women… I think many felt a little “trapped”. This poem certainly hints at that.

    Like

  3. Lori Ryan says:
    February 7, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    Take the best parts and know which parts to set aside. Sometimes we can choose what it is we inherit.

    Like

  4. Kestril Trueseeker says:
    February 7, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    I have similar feelings about my mom. I admire her ability to take what life threw at her and make it work, but I can put away some of the fears that pressed in on her.

    Like

  5. Magaly Guerrero says:
    February 7, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    Disappointment, especially with self, has to be a terrible thing to live with. Thank goodness we don’t have to be like our parents. The thought of having to live like that makes me shudder.

    Like

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