Shadows

Donna M Young 1954 (Santa Monica, CA)

March 23 


Sunlight picture frames the shaded window.
Pink dawn transforms her perfect sleeping face.

Watching, intently, as slowly she awakens,
Secretive creature of night's shadowed race.

Striving ever for stardom elusive,
Not satisfied with her station in life.

Children were never part of her first plan.
How could she be only a mother and wife?

Their mere presence whispered her destruction,
To any who might further her career.

So, she hid them ever in the shadows,
Content to camouflage her inward fear.

They didn't want to burden her at all,
Or take away the dreams that gave her hope.

Some birds don't nest or gather in their young,
But flying seems to be their means to cope.

They didn't hate her for needing something more,
But watched as "important" things took her heart.

"I love you" would have healed a broken soul,
But the world reached in and tore them all apart.

About this poem

Our mother wasn't cut out for motherhood. She pictured herself as a Hollywood star or famous model. We were obstacles to her fame. She seemed to have more important things to do. We still loved her.

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Written on March 09, 2023

Submitted by donnam.76665 on March 09, 2023

Modified on April 10, 2023

54 sec read
56

Quick analysis:

Scheme XA XA XB XB XC XC XD XD XE XE
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 879
Words 179
Stanzas 10
Stanza Lengths 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Donna M Young

Donna lives in a small, Iowa town with her husband Marty; an ordained minister, who also does construction work and painting. A stage four cancer survivor, she started to write when, during treatments, she could do nothing else. After decades in management positions for large companies, she suddenly had nothing to manage and asked God to guide her to a new purpose. A beneficiary of many miracles, and grateful to be alive in order to learn more of Jesus, she now knows her purpose is to write for His glory and she joyfully shares the Gospel of Grace with anyone who will listen. A licensed pastor, Donna speaks at churches, women's groups and other Christian events. She and her husband have raised a blended family of six children, twenty-six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Their lives have been filled with unique challenges and wonderful blessings as they've discovered more of God's exquisite love, in a lost and broken world. more…

All Donna M Young poems | Donna M Young Books

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1 Comment
  • lovingempath
    You're right Donna. A simple "I love you" works miracles! This is a beautiful piece of poetry written by a beautiful person.
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Shadows" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/156317/shadows>.

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