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| "First Mother's Day" by operabug |
When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
– Erma Bombeck, "When God Created Mothers" (read the rest at goodreads)
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| giant panda and baby |
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| gentoo penguin love |
"Write it for your mother and give it to her. It can be any kind of poem you like, as long as it’s especially for her."
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| orangutan mother and baby |
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| cheetah and cub |
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| mother and baby beaver |
But after a few days of "fiddling around," it was as if the dam burst.
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| kissing maaaa-maaaa |
I wasn't surprised by all the heartfelt tributes—I expected that.
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| baby elephant with mother |
What I didn't expect was how many of these poems would touch me so deeply. Thank you for that.
Sending virtual hugs to all of you who shared your words, your lives, your memories, and who brought these multifaceted relationships to light.
Thanks especially to Kenn Nesbitt for "going there" and for the opportunity to post a bunch of cute animal photos, too!
Scroll through the poems below, or for best viewing, click HERE.
Inspired to write your own poem for Mom?
Post it on our October 2016 padlet by Monday, October 31st, and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation.
Participants in this month's challenge will be automatically entered to win an autographed copy of One Minute till Bedtime: 60-Second Poems to Send you Off to Sleep, selected by Kenn Nesbitt with art by Christoph Niemann.Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. Comments must be received no later than Tuesday, November 1st. If you contribute a poem and comment below, you will receive two entries in total.
The winner will be determined by Random.org and announced next Friday, November 4th, when we reveal our next Spotlight ON interview and ditty challenge.
Michelle, I read through your October Ditty Challenge and was impressed by the range of mother tributes. You and Kenn posed an endearing challenge for all of us whose mothers impacted our lives. Beside the poetry displayed your intro deftly wove a narrative to introduce the collection. Thank you, again for the work of curating this fine array of poetry.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on my mother poem and feeling stuck. My mother is 80 now and her role in my life is changing rapidly. It's hard to write about. I am so impressed with all of these wonderful expressions of love. The use of padlet is brilliant because each one can be formatted by the writer. Thanks for hosting this challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt was an especially difficult challenge! I love how Michelle posted today with Erma Bombeck and Mother-child animal photos. So perfect!
DeleteI totally understand, Margaret. Sometimes it's better to wait till the time is right. Love to you as you meet these changes with grace and resilience.
DeleteMichelle, you are a superior hostess for wrapping up the challenge this month with the wise and funny words of Erma Bombeck and the photos. This was a deceptively challenging challenge as it is such an emotionally charge topic. But, the results are beautiful and touching and funny and lovely. Thank you for TLD.
ReplyDeleteThis was a challenge that touched everyone deeply -- that was a unifying thread through all the poetry. Each relationship has its unique qualities, and so many talented poets make us feel all that. A very special gallery, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by Linda Mitchell's little story poem, "Julie's Glasses." It made me laugh and then realize that necessity really is the MOTHER of invention!
ReplyDeleteWhat's in store for next time, Michelle?
Well aren't you the clever one, Diane! I'm still not going to divulge what's in store for next time, though. It's a secret... but I'm fairly certain the challenge will meet your approval.
DeleteMichelle, Thank you again for bringing us all together to write, this time from Kenn, about that one special person in our lives, our mothers. The poems are wonderful, and I love Irma's quote and that orangutan's smile.
ReplyDeleteWow, so many moving, poignant, beautiful poems! Loved your concrete poem, Michelle (hearts are my favorite!), and Linda B's stood out for me too. Thanks for hosting another amazing DMC challenge!
ReplyDeleteSo. Much. Goodness. Thank you, Michelle and Kenn, for this challenge. While I haven't finished the poem I've been fiddling with (Erma Bombeck was right about the "overtime" it takes to capture the enormity of mothers), I have been happy to have experienced ah-ha moments and goosebumps from your talented contributors. =)
ReplyDeleteOh, those sweet little animals and their mummies! Wonderful to see all the love for the mothers in our lives.
ReplyDeleteGreat wrap up Michelle. I too found this one hard to do. Some because the words refused to work and some because of an insanely busy month. Love your pictures and everyone's poems.
ReplyDeleteFabulous ppoems this month. Mine is finally posted at Deowriter.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos.
https://deowriter.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/poetry-friday-french-twist/
Baby orangutans! Baby pandas! Baby beavers! Baby elephants! This post is giving me a case of cuteness overload....
ReplyDeleteI love the photos on today's post. The poems are wonderful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJust finished getting caught up, reading the ones I'd missed...wow, what a collection! Glad I was finally able to finish mine up in time, although you don't need to include me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI very nearly posted one of my Mum photo inspirations for my contribution to the Ditty Challenge, Michelle - but then decided there was perhaps not enough poetry in any of them for all the cuteness. But they'd have teamed well with the gorgeous pics you've used to accompany the post. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection you've got here. (You'll have to bring back this padlet next May, in time for Mother's Day.) I would love a copy of the book and would be so happy to have my name in the draw (unless, of course, the postage to Canada is prohibitive). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe poems this mouth are relay felling my eyes with tears as I read them so much meaning in each of them that we call all relate to I hdat written my a good meany years ago before my mom started getting treated for cancer I had all ready know that she was not wail and want shore how my life would be with out her it was a Mother hers day present for her she love praying and church but reading these made me realize that all the thing she never sad was relaying her sowing me she love me and how I wish I had spent moor time with my birth mom I had lost of my mother a year and a haf part from each other passing thank you all for sharing thesee poems with all of us
ReplyDeleteFeeling as if I've visited with a kind coming together of great aunts and grandmothers.
ReplyDeleteLinda Mitchell - that Mom of yours! With her diving pick-jar. And your surprise fish-reader end. A picture book, perhaps in there?
Linda Baie - "Toora-loora-looray" brings such a smile.
They are all so overflowing with strong emotion & meaning. Michelle thank you for picking Kenn, who suggested such a powerful prompt. Can't imagine how a November prompt can pull us all so fervently.
Loving these mom poems! Thanks for another great challenge!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite the collection, Michelle. Fabulous work, everyone!
ReplyDelete