
Times that I knew
my conservative mom was cool
was when she related
to me like a friend.
I taped pages from a magazine
to my bedroom walls
and she surprisingly approved
said she did the same thing
when she was growing up in Korea.
I couldn’t imagine she would
have preteen posters of
Duran Duran and Rick Springfield
she seemed too pragmatic for
soft pop heart crush idols
she lived a war torn childhood.
But her acknowledgment
that I was interested in men
was the closest thing
to a birds and bees
sex talk that we never had.
We practiced the don’t ask don’t tell method,
the survive by omission logic
our family specialized in denial.
I remember when she once
snuck pizza to me in my room
after Father angrily announced
that I should go hungry
he was always the master
of undeserved punishment.
So she would sabotage him
smuggling love and kindness
as best as she could.
She loved me more than I deserved.
Those acts of silent defiance
remind me of why I’m her child
her reflective progeny
her shy and surprisingly
passionate fire starter
her subversive,
rebellious girl.
Watch out for the youngest
we tend to break the mold
and dance to our own trouble.
Watch out for the power
of the little by little
tortoise pace wins the race
like erosion breaks mountains
through tiny rivers laughing.
She outwardly rejected
rebellion in herself and in me
she focused on my redemption
although I was already free
and so was she,
strong willed stubborn
an untamable spirit lives in her
no matter that she disguises it.
She was the fiercest, proudest
most liberated woman that I’ll ever know
hidden powerhouse
my mama goddess
who birthed me to this world.
No one could break her
no matter how hard they lied
or tried to beat her down.
She never stayed down.
A wonderful poetic tribute to your mother.
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Thank you Christopher❤️
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“Scent and a sound
I’m lost and I’m found
And I’m hungry like the wolf”
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I never knew the lyrics, “scent and a sound” thanks for sharing it. I loved their poetic, surreal lyrics❤️
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Such a touching tribute, Judy.
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Thank you Mitch ❤️
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Love this, Judy. A woman’s power in the face of adversity.
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Thank you Rosaliene ❤️
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Lovely.
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Thanks Jeremy❤️
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A powerful tribute to your mom, Judy. I wonder who was her Rick Springfield and Duran Duran back in the day.
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🙂that’s a great question! There were Frank Sinatra-like Korean singers back in her day I think 🤔, thanks for your compliment Sylvester❤️
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That’s cool, I was wondering 😊 You’re welcome, Judy 😊
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I liked the old singers, the women sang beautiful soulful ballads, very similar to songs from old James Bond movies like Goldfinger 🙂. Now the Korean pop music scene is all boy bands or girl bands, (too formulaic for my taste) but they sing & dance up a storm! 💃🏻🕺🏻🙂
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I grew up in a time of soul singers and so many bands. That all faded away over the years. Those boy and girl bands are the stuff of teeny bopper dreams 😄
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Interesting how trends come and go, I think the originals were the best.🙂
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I definitely agree. I don’t believe we’ll see another generation singers like that. 🎤😊
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Beautiful tribute to your mom…
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Thank you very much❤️
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I love this poem and your brilliant snippets like small Rivers wearing down mountains.
Hi can pop
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Thank you for your lovely comment❤️
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Beautiful tribute to a strong-willed lady!
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Thank you Megala, I love your wonderful comment❤️
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Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
A powerful and worthwhile poem by a talented writer.
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Thank you very much John❤️, I’m honored that you reposted the poem🥰🌷
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I enjoyed the poem Judy and you are welcome.
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A wonderful poem for your mother.
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Thank you very much John, you are so generous to repost the poem, I’m honored❤️😘
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I think this is a very sweet tribute to your mother from the bottom of your heart, Judy.
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Thank you Kally❤️ I’m sometimes critical of my mom, but I love and admire her more than anything else.
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I loved this. It reminds me of my mom and I wish I could express this to her as eloquently and brave as you. I would like to share this with my mom on mothers’s day in a card with your permission. 🙂
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Hi Kathy, thank you for your compliment. I think mother’s from abn older generation, struggled through a lot, and paved a way for more freedom for their daughters, both consciously and unintentionally. I’d be honored for you to share my poem with your mom. 🙂
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Yes I agree ! Thank you 🙂
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Great poem! It reminded me of the loving times spent with my mother before I left home for college. I remember back in second grade I had written a poem for her birthday and when I recited it infront of everyone, she was clapping the loudest!.I am sure your mother would have very proud and happy to read your tribute to her! What was her first reaction after reading it?
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Thank you Bhagyashree, I like your story, it’s very sweet. I remember writing a school report, the theme was “my hero”, I wrote about my brother and he was proud to hear it. I haven’t shared my poems with my mother, but she knows that I love her. I appreciate your comment.
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