Change of Heart
I cannot imagine
A stronger woman, wife, mother.
I was, and still am,
Determined to be like you.
You were not
Brought up the way most
Kids were.
In a tough life
You grew all
The more determined
To survive and thrive;
A different person
Than those around you.
I would never be abandoned;
I would get no coal at Christmas -
Jokes would be funny not hurtful;
My questions would have answers.
As a child,
I could not comprehend
The enormity of the difference
In my life
Made possible
By your young heart’s decisions;
But now I know.
Thank you for
Not just surviving,
But loving life,
Changing lives,
and
Loving me more
Than you should have been able.
Determined to be like you,
I was, and still am
A stronger woman, wife, mother -
I cannot imagine.
by Donna JT Smith
On Irene Latham's post today, she mentioned titles and how we come by them. I realized this poem had undergone a few title changes on paper and in brain before I settled on its "meant to be" title.
I went through something like this:
"Change"... "Never Too Young to Change Lives"... "Changing Lives"... "Changing Hearts"... and finally - "Change of Heart" - which felt right and to the point of what I wanted to say.
Go visit more poets and poems at Irene's place "Live Your Poem" today to celebrate Poetry Friday!
