A Long Motherhood

A Poem for Mothers Day

Forty-two years went by between the birth of our first child and when the last
of all five turned 18. Thats a lot of parenting. I suppose, if we had planned
that season more compactly, there would be fewer regrets and fewer happy
memories. But we werent thinking that way. We were thinking about older
kids helping younger ones, and how to spread college attendance (and
expenses) over 27 years.
What we didnt foresee and it wouldnt have changed anything if we did
is that parenting doesnt end with the last departure. Or any departure. We
are now pushing 70 and have just embarked on the completely new phase of
parenting which you might call the AAKAA phase After All Kids Are
Adults.
Last year when that phase began, I wrote this poem for a very strong,
faithful, long-suffering Mom, my wife. It was good to spend those 42 years
doing this together. And it is good to begin our AAKAA phase as deeply
committed as ever.

A Long Motherhood
For Nol
Your motherhood began
when Karsten was conceived
now forty years ago

plus two,
And then was sealed again
when Benjamin was weaved:
another son to grow
in you.
Then Abraham. And when
your arms were strong, God heaved
the little whale you know,
and who
But Barnabas? All men.
And then a dream, believed,
a seed we did not sow,
came true.
***
And Talitha, all girl,
as real, as loved, withal,
as all her brothers were,
arrived.
Now there were five, the pearl,
and four rough diamonds all.
You loved them well, loved her.
They thrived.
***
Naive we were, and thought
for years that motherhood

would end when they all said,

"Goodbye."
Now we have learned that naught
in them or us, for good
or ill, could this tough thread
untie.
What has been wrought is wrought.
Yours they remain, though should
they all the low way tread
or high.
And you, my love, have taught
them well, and said, "For good
I'm yours till you are dead,
or I."