Cathleen Hodgkinson

Rookie (June/64 / New England, USA)

A Mother's Promise - Poem by Cathleen Hodgkinson

As if it were yesterday, I recall the first time we were alone.
A few moments together, you were just two hours old.
I was stunned by your beauty, overwhelmed with love...
As I held you, I kissed you, I knew I had a promise to uphold.

I still mourn the closeness of you and I, as you grew within me.
I remember the feeling of your movements so vivid.
Your little kicks, your hiccups...so restless to enter this world.
I knew even then, the incredible bond, as I marveled who you'd be.

A precious gift from Heaven, an honor to be entrusted with your Soul,
You may have been born from me, my precious Daughter,
But you're not mine to keep.
You're mine to guide, to love, to someday let go.

It is true I must teach you to conform to your human being...
There are rules of what is right...what is wrong, unfortunate restraints.
But I must encourage your journey of your 'here and now',
As you make your way...to encourage your Soul to remain free.

For there is compassion, humility, tolerance, integrity to be taught.
To learn to be humble to your rises, to be humble of your falls.
I will bestow the gift of intuition, the gifts of courage and dignity,
The Secrets of the Universe...if your Soul will allow me.

Sometimes I will make mistakes, speak unwanted words of wisdom.
I must recognize the things unspoken between Mother & Daughter.
When to stand back, not stifle your dreams, no matter what tears may fall...
For at times our life lessons may become entangled,
For you will teach me too, my love.

You may have been born from me, my precious Daughter.
But you're not mine to keep.
You're mine to guide, to love, to someday let go...for now...
I will still watch you as you sleep, love the world you share with me...
And someday, be truly amazed at the woman you'll suddenly become.


Comments about A Mother's Promise by Cathleen Hodgkinson

  • C. P. Sharma (1/8/2010 7:42:00 AM)


    Soft and sweet flow of motherly emotions for the chip of her soul.
    CP     (Report) Reply

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  • (10/14/2008 10:58:00 AM)


    a tapestry of emotions a quilt of care so well stashed through these beautiful bonds that you have shared in your fine piece (Report) Reply

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  • (9/22/2008 2:38:00 PM)


    Thanks our dearest fellow-poet Cathleen Hodgkinson. You offered a brilliant, tender poem framed with the wonderful mission of how to raise a child. I enjoyed it and give it a 10+. May God bless you and your poems (of such a divine vision) .
    Joseph S. Josephides
    Member of the International Society of Poets (ISP) Int.Lib.Poetry awarded     (Report) Reply

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  • (8/19/2008 2:30:00 PM)


    A beautiful poem written in tenderness, you express beautifully the wonder of your child, and the awesome responsibility and blessings of raising that child. It is awe-inspiring. I enjoyed your beautiful poem. (Report) Reply

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  • (7/21/2008 1:14:00 PM)


    A lovely moving poem. Brilliant. (Report) Reply

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  • (6/27/2008 7:46:00 AM)


    '...I will still watch you as you sleep, love the world you share with me...
    And someday, be truly amazed at the woman you'll suddenly become...'

    most touching these lines...the soul of the poem...all women- and men too- should read this golden write...10     (Report) Reply

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  • (5/5/2008 5:57:00 AM)


    A wonderful message.
    Any mother can understand what you have expressed so well.
    Irene     (Report) Reply

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  • (4/29/2008 10:14:00 PM)


    Beautiful...a love so pure shines through superbly..
    what you have shared within this fine example of outstanding poetry,
    Is a love that nothing compares to...I also have a poem similar titled (Painted Pictures) on my page.

    All the very best

    jon     (Report) Reply

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  • (4/18/2008 5:19:00 AM)


    Thank you for sharing your precious gift.. in your beautiful words! (Report) Reply

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  • Dr.subhendu Kar (4/17/2008 2:44:00 PM)


    the promises when upheld by the pride
    the clone when whispers the love of blood....................yet a flower when hanging by the hinges of love of mother. tear comes the eyes deluging the universe by the wholebeing as when apart, yet painful, , , , , , , , , , great write, when exqusite expression of filial love, sui-generis,10/10, thanks for sharing     (Report) Reply

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  • (4/17/2008 6:30:00 AM)


    An extraordinary bit of writing my friend! Thanks.... (Report) Reply

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  • Mark Nwagwu (4/17/2008 2:40:00 AM)


    a very lovely poem binding mother to daughter yet leaving so much space for individuality, personhood, all that is beautifully human - to be humble to your rises, to be humble of your falls - I love that (Report) Reply

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Poem Submitted: Thursday, April 17, 2008

Poem Edited: Sunday, March 1, 2009
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