You Lied, Mother

‘Leaving the Nest’ by Siobhan Knox

You lied, Mother.

You said it will be easy.

You said the world was a beautiful place to grow up.

 

You pushed me gently out

Coaxing me to go a little more,

Just a little further on the branch.

You told me not to be afraid

As the wind swayed me about.

You lied, Mother.

You said I will not fall.

 

I took off, nearly toppling,

In what was a miserable attempt at flight.

The nest seemed so far off,

Its thought itself so cozy.

You told me to enjoy the sunlight on my face.

You lied, Mother.

You said the world was warm.

 

You said I will not fall.

I fell many times,

Hard on my face, flat on my back.

You said the world was warm.

It cold-shouldered me,

Its tragedies chilled my bone.

Why did you lie, Mother?

 

The world keeps telling me

That each time I fell, I failed.

It keeps reminding me of my bloodied nose,

Of my injured, drained body.

Is that why you lied, Mother?

So that I would be unable to see

My falls as my failures?

 

The world keeps closing its doors

Leaving me out in snowy, wintry days.

It teases me by lighting fires far from my reach.

Evoking desires of what is not mine.

Is that why you lied, Mother?

To give me this gift

Of warm satisfaction with my flight?

 

Your lies have made me blind.

Your lies have made me strong.

You lied, Mother, but I forgive you.


Responses

  1. Baldeep Kaur Avatar
    Baldeep Kaur

    Brilliant! Every word, every expression is so heartfelt and genuine. Well done!

    Like

    1. Akshita Avatar
      Akshita

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

      Like

  2. rudrip Avatar
    rudrip

    This is powerful. Packed with emotion, there are several lines in the poem that startle the reader, Well done.

    Like

    1. Akshita Avatar
      Akshita

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you. I’m glad that you enjoyed the poem.

      Like

  3. Nita Avatar
    Nita

    Your poem depicts feelings of many birdies on their first nectar flight. Second last line is a good punch. Keep flying and keep writing

    Like

    1. Akshita Avatar
      Akshita

      Thank you! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  4. Himani Avatar
    Himani

    beautiful, inspiring poetry ! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Like

    1. Akshita Avatar
      Akshita

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks!

      Like

  5. redgladiola Avatar
    redgladiola

    Love the understanding in that last stanza. Mothers always do what they think is best for us, even though we ourselves might find it detrimental. The best is to remember those actions are taken out of love. =)

    Like

    1. Akshita Avatar
      Akshita

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you. You’re right; mothers do have our best interests at heart.

      Like

  6. Blog Review: 2014 | The Writer's Nest Avatar
    Blog Review: 2014 | The Writer's Nest

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