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This Poem was Submitted By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2006-04-12 13:32:39 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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My Husband"s Mother

Crisp autumn afternoons green beans snapping soft scents of flowers coffee perking Gentle wind across the plains crackles of sage hens frying housedress of cotton boxes of buttons I never recall these things without thinking of her or sense these things without missing her The robustness has left her now the essence of her is gone but we share a common thread binding us together We both loved and lost her son My husband's mother and me

Additional Notes:
Per my comments on the forum this is a re-post of an old poem. My mother-in-law as since passed away and had forgotten who I was. She was 93 years old and I still miss her.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2006-05-04 07:34:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.81481
This has such a gentleness to it, and brings such memories back to me as well..of my grandmothers home in my case, and I miss her too. Such a homespun piece of writing, and reflection. I really like the way you have composed the beginning stanza. It has such rythm in it and crisp sounds."Crisp autumn afternoons green beans snapping soft scents of flowers coffee perking" a delight to the senses. I could picture each of your images very clearly and they made memories pour forth from years ago. I love when this happens. Very meloncoly piece, touched my heart as I am sure it will all who read. And so the life cycle goes on, a sad journey at times, but so much love around the corners that it is so worth the effort. Thanks for sharing this, I really enjoyed the read.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jordan Brendez Bandojo On Date: 2006-04-30 21:39:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.75862
Hi Marilyn, Thank you for sharing this with us. When we miss our beloved departed, we could not do anything than think of the memories they shared to us and it is so sad! I have a brother who died when I was still in my mom's womb and I think of memories we would have shared together. So sad!

This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2006-04-22 21:04:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Marilyn, This is a heartwarming piece. In your first verse, you've captured contentment - and take the reader, through this memory as if we were there. I have similiar memories, and it was nice to touch base with some of them, while reading this poem. You were fortunate, to have a good relationship with your mother-in-law. I had two, and never established this strong of a bond with either. You found a way, to work through the difficulty of loosing another you had grown to love. How hard that must have been for you. Your last two lines, are very sad - how you both loved, both lost the same person, her a son, you a husband. One individual that meant the world to two people - and they say loosing a child, is one of the hardest things to get over. She must have been devastated at that time. She was also blessed to have you care for her. It's not everyone that would put someone else before them, and you unselfishly did that. I imagine her not knowing you at the end, was also an emotional struggle for you. Thank you for sharing these memories. It's a very good write. Sincerely, Denimari

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2006-04-18 20:29:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Marilyn, This is a lovely, evocative poem. I've read it several times, and each time I think of women I've known from an earlier generation, and wander around in those thoughts for a while. You make the smells, sounds and her character vivid on the page. That we still love and remember those who have gone on before us is perhaps a clue to the real 'thread that binds' - love - and at least for me, gives hope that we cannot ever be truly separated by death. Her spirit lives on, and her robustness is captured here with your remembrance. Your "coffee perking" and "boxes of buttons" evoke a whole host of my own recollections. I sometimes wonder what my descedants will recall. Will it be the clacking of a keyboard, the music always playing, stories and poems read, a shared love of drawing and painting? Will it be email and cell phone conversations? Anyway, your poem moves me and I am so glad that you reposted it here. Many thanks. And smiles. Best always, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2006-04-14 09:29:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Marilyn, Another blast from your past! This is a treat! This tribute to your m-i-l is chock full of descriptors that set the mood to a time when life was simple and easy to enjoy. It's plain to see that you and your m-i-l formed a special bond because of the love you shared for a special man. This is an enjoyable read. Did you share this with her? I know I have a special bond with my m-i-l and it is so nice to have her because even though she can't replace my Mother who passed 8 years ago, she is still like a Mom to me and I love her. Thanks for stepping out and sharing from your past. Best, Jennifer ps Have a wonderful Easter

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-04-12 14:59:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.80000
Marilyn, This such a wonderful easy flowing picturesque write. My spirit reveled in your words of a time and place that seems so long ago, a way of life that many have never known or have forgotten and of the bonds that family are capable of having. Your deep appreciation and love of your mother in law shows clearly here and indeed she must have been bigger than life in her way, thank you for shareing her with us and giving us a slice of Americana country. *smile* Warmest always, Lora

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