by Michelle W.
Member since:
April 17, 2007

BROKEN ANGEL all my love to my daughter, Rochelle

March 23, 2009 07:50 PM UTC (Updated: March 24, 2009 02:03 PM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 30

BROKEN ANGEL  

I see you there,
dirty
from choices you have made
that weighed you down,
buried you in earthly sorrows
instead of freeing you
to fly among Stars.

I cannot see your tears
yet I know they must be there
for every now and then
I get a glimpse
of the daisies and sunflowers
that surround your path.  

You are guarding something here,
motionless.
The rains have danced at your feet
sending more dirt flying,
nesting in your hair,
on your face.
  Oh, that is what hides
  your tears.

The heavens must miss you,
it has been raining
more frequently as of late.
But there is always
Hope
that Love will mend
the broken angel.


Michelle Wooten
copyright © 3-19-09
all rights reserved
mebw  

http://www.easyflowers.com.au/asp/meaning.asp

Comments: 30

Tillie.tation M. Mar 23, 2009, 8:58pm UTC
So sad... It is crazy what an addiction can do, and you are right there is always hope.
Marsha C. Mar 23, 2009, 9:28pm UTC
it is a sad poem....and I don't know the circumstances
Alison H. Mar 23, 2009, 10:08pm UTC
Beautiful poem that holds both heartbreak and hope.
Carole S. Mar 23, 2009, 10:31pm UTC
Very well done and I certainly feel empathy. It must be a horrible heartbreak...and really nothing you can do but wait until she finds happiness. :)
Kathryn Flynn Mar 23, 2009, 11:46pm UTC
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Rebecca P. Mar 23, 2009, 11:55pm UTC
Very sad and empty. Great poem
Michelle W. Mar 24, 2009, 2:06pm UTC
Thank you to each and every one of you. Kathryn ... I do so appreciate the Feature ... my hope is that other parents going through this, or other young adults who have been on the addiction end, will read and not feel so alone, so strange. I am very blessed to have friends like each of you here on GATHER.

Many blessings!
Haim Kadman Mar 24, 2009, 3:22pm UTC
Though utterly sad it's a beautiful and moving poem, conveying truthful feelings and hopes.
Michelle W. Mar 24, 2009, 3:51pm UTC
Haim, Thank you. I have been told to get my small collection published ... I will keep you posted.
John F Walter Mar 24, 2009, 10:59pm UTC
Very moving, Michelle.

There is tremendous compassion in the speaker´s characterization of a child who is experiencing a difficult time in her life--´dirty´´weighed down´ by ´earthly sorrows´ as ¨a broken angel¨: the mother cannot accept this current picture of a degraded self, she looks upon her loved one´s best and truest angelic form within.

This reminds me of the profound Hindu greeting, Nestamé, ¨I greet the divine spark within thee.¨

The imagery is curative, the poem is a metaphor of healing as a form of direct address and contains a powerful suggestion of a better tomorrow.
Michelle W. Mar 24, 2009, 11:33pm UTC
Thank you, John. This is one of several poems I have here, in English and in Spanish, dedicated to my now 21 yr old daughter and our mutual struggles with each other, our relationship, and her addiction.

It is odd. I wrote my first poem about this in Spanish ... that is just how it came to me. She does not understand Spanish ... and maybe that is why the poem came that way ... we did not, do not, understand each other.

I am glad you "got" that the mother (I) looks upon her child as what is the highest and best, even though seeing the appearances as well.

Thank you again, for reading and your wonderfully thoughtful comments!

peace
JOHN BECK Mar 25, 2009, 8:08am UTC
I love the interplay of the dirt metaphor and the rain metaphor, Michelle. This truly a sensitive poem and shows your love over disapproval, patience and hope over frustration. True poetry.
Michelle W. Mar 25, 2009, 2:22pm UTC
Thank you so much, John. I know others have gone through this, are going through this ... and I do so believe that poetry heals. Once again, thank you!
Michelle W. Mar 28, 2009, 8:28pm UTC
Thank you, M C --- I love the graphics!
Mustafa Demiri Apr 4, 2009, 12:28am UTC
I hope your angel finds the strength to repair herself. I pray for you both tonight.
Michelle W. Apr 4, 2009, 3:27pm UTC
Thank you for your prayers, Mustafa!
Sheila Deeth Apr 28, 2009, 7:37pm UTC
Dirt and rain and hope. Lovely poem. And broken angels can rise and fly.
Michelle W. Apr 30, 2009, 2:02pm UTC
They certainly can! Thanks for coming by, Sheila!
TINA s. May 1, 2009, 3:45pm UTC
very nice
Michelle W. May 1, 2009, 4:33pm UTC
Thank you, Tina, for coming by and commenting!

peace
Marilyn M. Dec 12, 2009, 6:52am UTC
Well written and heartbreaking. My heart goes out to both you and your daughter.
Michelle W. Dec 12, 2009, 1:21pm UTC
Thanks, Marilyn, this Xmas may be particularly difficult.
Maryellen G. Jan 15, 2010, 6:39pm UTC
It is so heartbreaking for a parent to stand by and watch all the dreams die. Thank God there is the hope of recovery. I am recovering. My mother, two sisters, brother-in-law, brother, nephew are recovering; and, as of December 2009, my twenty-year-old nephew is recovering from IV heroin abuse. Thank God for a higher power that cares and for the programs of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. Where there is life there is hope. Right now I am watching, waiting, wondering and worrying about my own grown children, ages 20 and 23, who I know are daily pot smokers, who can't hold their liquor and who, so far, haven't given me reason to think they are onto hard drugs--but the alcohol is bad enough with our family genetics, and the pot has wiped out my son's ambition to the point that he does nothing but play video games and sleep. I don't live with him and can only "suggest" so as not to become a shrew and a nag. But I pray constantly. God bless you and your daughter. I will pray for you both.
Michelle W. Jan 15, 2010, 8:03pm UTC
Maryellen, thank you. We continue to struggle. She has been clean for about 18 months, and hopefully her desire to be a good mother will help.

I continue to pray.
Maryellen G. Jan 15, 2010, 8:34pm UTC
It sure is a day at a time--"some days are diamonds, some days are stones." Prayer is everything. Detach if you can and give her to God. Go out and take care of yourself. Be with people who love you and can replenish you. You can't give and give and nurture when nothing is coming in for you. Peace & Love
Michelle W. Feb 4, 2010, 7:34am UTC
That is very true, Maryellen, thank you! Yesterday was her 22 birthday, and today she is coming over for dinner ... we shall see what happens!
Jennine D. Jan 25, 2010, 1:53am UTC
Sad, but glad you still have her and she is living. My heart break for Gerrin is on going forever until Christ comes.
Michelle W. Feb 4, 2010, 7:34am UTC
I am so sorry for you loss, Jennine.

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