Legacy of Love I watch you as you hug your mother Posing for the picture The flash goes off And she blinks her eyes But...for most of her life She didn't blink her eyes She looked at the harsh Light of reality Full faced Without flinching! She had lived a difficult life-- The oldest in a family Where hardness Ruled and gentleness Was seldom honored Day in, day out Living for others And not herself She gave her love Not in words But in the doing-- She gave her mother, Father, and sister All she had And left little for herself Time passed, she grew older; Her father arranged for her to marry At the age of 28, a man of 42-- A settled, employed, Dependable man-- But not one she loved; In obedience to a culture That young people Would scoff at now (We did, didn't we?) She married him Despite that, she gave her best Not shrinking one minute But, going at it unblinkingly, Squarely, within the bounds Of her self-respect; She made it work, too! They had children-- Duty transformed into delight As her children brought Laughter into her life As mother, she gave Unstintingly of her love Pouring it out freely Strong in her determination That her children would Lead better lives But, now, her body is frail Her vision is dimmer, too Yet, still she doesn't blink As she faces the brutal Pain of disease And I can tell you That in that picture pose In that moment's flash And quick blink of eye I see you both this way-- I see the mother I see the son Touched by eternity Oh yes, I can confidently say For as long as her Blood flows through Her children and Grandchildren's veins-- Her heritage of courage Her bequest of strength Will steadfastly live And her legacy of love Will forever remain Cathy J. Montgomery Back Next Poem Index |
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| My husband, John, with his mother, Violet nee' Stewart Montgomery Christmas 2002 |