“Know This” Poem for Mother’s Day For A Mother Taken Too Soon
Not a Mother, a Buddha, but Looks Motherly to Me
The Last Thing – Mother To Child
For Rhona Saffer
Know that,
when I must go,
I will love you
just the same.
When I must go,
I know it will not feel
just the same.
There will be cool air—
I know it will not feel
like my lips—
but there will be cool air
caressing your face
like my lips,
while your smile only,
caressing your face
(oh reflection of mine),
will be your smile only.
I never wanted to cause you pain,
oh reflection of mine.
That was the last thing
I ever wanted to cause you—pain.
No, I would love you—
that was the last thing.
Just the same,
know, I would love you,
I will love you,
just the same.
Know that.
*****************************************
The above is a poem (posted before) for Mother’s Day, written for a dear friend of mine, who was a consummate mother. The poem was written for her when, in the terminal stages of breast cancer, she told me that one of the most painful parts of her impending death was her concern for the suffering it would cause her wonderful children. I was able to read the poem to her before her death.
The picture is of a Japanese Buddha not mother! at the Yale Art Museum. Although buddhas are generally male, this one has a very maternal feel, I think. I am also linking this post to Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads, a site for poetry and support for poets, focusing today on motherhood.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetryTags: "Know This", manicddaily, Mother's Day Pantoum, Mothers Taken Too Soon, pantoum, poem for Rhona Saffer, Poem of breast cancer
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ManicDDaily 
May 13, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Wonderful poem!
May 13, 2012 at 6:20 pm
What a poignant and beautiful Mother’s Day poem. And yes this would be especially painful for a mother to know she would cause her children pain in her passing. How lucky you could read this to your friend.
May 13, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Peggy, thanks. I’d be happy to visit your blog if you send me your URL. K.
May 13, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Hi Karin,
This is Peggy’s link. I like this share, very loving and full of wisdom.
Happy Mother’s Day to you ~
Grace
May 13, 2012 at 7:09 pm
http://ponderingspeggy.blogspot.ca/
May 13, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Thanks, Grace.
May 13, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Sweet and poignant. I do believe the love we have lives on long after we’re gone. Thanks so much for sharing this!
May 13, 2012 at 9:10 pm
this is a really heart felt write…a great poem for mothers day..i cant imagine leaving my kids behind…but i also would not want them to go first…i imagine something like this being comforting…happy mothers day k…
May 14, 2012 at 6:21 am
I was surprised (at first) to read that the poem was not originally for the Buddha, or in any way devotional. My first thought was that you were introducing a devotional poem you had come upon. Upon reflection, I was not so surprised. The double use has reminded me of Henry Moore’s theories about the difference between a Mother and Child and a Madonna and Child sculpture. The difference struck me as being a bit thin, but was obviously important to him. I’m rambling on when I should be saying it’s a great poem with a good measure of nobility. It would have been a worthy tribute to your friend. Thanks for showing it. I’m real glad not to have missed it.
May 14, 2012 at 8:00 am
Thanks so much, David. You know, I realize that it never even occurred to me to use a Madonna as mother here, and I haven’t read Moore’s thoughts, but I realize it would not have been appropriate, of course, because there’s a case of the child going before the mother.
I love Madonna and Child paintings etc – especially Middle Ages, and early early Renaissance – but the child is kind of a little adult – even when suckling! And the Madonna has a placidity not much seen on the faces of young mothers! Thanks so much for your kind comment. k.
May 14, 2012 at 9:12 am
beautiful.
May 14, 2012 at 9:59 am
Thanks, Jane.
May 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm
What a blessing to have shared this with your friend…amazing poem.