Memories | Teen Ink

Memories MAG

December 17, 2008
By AmbRawr BRONZE, Allentown, Pennsylvania
AmbRawr BRONZE, Allentown, Pennsylvania
3 articles 0 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
We choose the love we think we deserve ~The Perks


And I remember she wouldn’t wake up.
Her lips were mushed together in a
Horrible shade of red
They buried my mother in a white dress
And red lips.
And she couldn’t see.
Where are your glasses, Mommy?
And still at sixteen I bring them to my face
And peer through the distorted murky lenses
To see what she saw
Maybe one day …
And I remember it hitting me
Like it does every day
When I hear them all talk and complain about their
“Horrible” mothers
What’s it like to have a mother
I’d give anything to know,
Or at least for them to know how lucky they are.
They know.
And I remember she wouldn’t sit up
And I dreamed of a stuffing machine because
Someone whispered by my ear she was
Cut in half and stuffed
And it made no sense
And still at sixteen I wonder
What happened to my mother?
And I remember her faintly
She doesn’t even smile in my dreams anymore
And I wonder if she’ll ever be proud of me
If she’d ever approve of me
And who I’ve become
The things I’ve seen
The things I’ve done
And I remember her singing
Though I can’t hear her voice
The only happy Christmas I hold on to
Every year
Maybe one day it’ll come back
I used to think
Maybe one day she’d come back
And still at sixteen I hope
Maybe one day she’ll come back …
And I remember she wouldn’t wake up
Not even to say good-bye.



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This article has 840 comments.


on Jan. 5 2012 at 7:52 pm
ThursdayAngelus, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
0 articles 0 photos 14 comments
because, when they get people ready for their viewing, they do surgical things to make them look presentable, which can be related to stuffing.

Ella1 GOLD said...
on Jan. 5 2012 at 7:02 pm
Ella1 GOLD,
14 articles 7 photos 137 comments
This was a truely moving poem. At my uncles funeral I felt the same way. He died when I was 14 so I had gotten to know him, but still I couldn't believe it. Amazing work

on Jan. 5 2012 at 6:43 pm
zadiekatie23 PLATINUM, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
39 articles 4 photos 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

A truly moving piece. Brilliant piece of writing! Thanks!

aphids77 said...
on Jan. 5 2012 at 5:51 pm
aphids77, Holly Springs, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 21 comments
Great job! Very heartfelt. Very talented. But I don't understand the stuffing machine.

on Jan. 5 2012 at 3:11 pm
Reversetrajedies SILVER, Chicago, Illinois
6 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I am not talented. I'm only passionatly curious." -Albert Einstein

this poem brought tears to my eyes.. i can relate because .. well.. my father is gone. he didnt die. he still alive. with another family. but im sure your mother is proud of you. shes probably looking down at you with a smile on her face, watching her kid grow..

on Jan. 5 2012 at 1:00 pm
Lessette BRONZE, Fruita, Colorado
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you do wat youve always done youll get wat you always got, lifes to short to live in regret, so just go one day at a time.

great job! i loved the poem :] keep writing!!!

aeppard GOLD said...
on Jan. 5 2012 at 10:14 am
aeppard GOLD, Essex, Connecticut
10 articles 0 photos 4 comments
so sad:( a really strong piece.

on Jan. 5 2012 at 9:50 am
Emilyourstruly BRONZE, Spring Grove, Minnesota
4 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

this is a very powerful poem! great job!

on Jan. 5 2012 at 8:09 am
WeAllBurn PLATINUM, Vermilion, Ohio
24 articles 0 photos 71 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." ~Mahatma Gandhi

I have commented on this poem, and rated it, at least ten times. I just love this. SO MUCH!

on Jan. 5 2012 at 6:43 am
alligator6 SILVER, Neenah, Wisconsin
6 articles 0 photos 31 comments

Favorite Quote:
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

This is the most beautiful poem I've ever read in my entire life. My dad passed this year so I understand some of the mysteries and the frustration when other people talk about their parents poorly. This poem is just so amazing. Fantastic job!

on Dec. 31 2011 at 12:29 am
Missundrstoodx2, Indianapolis, Indiana
0 articles 11 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You never know what it enough until you know what is more than enough."

Stunning. Tearing up- if you can put such raw thoughts and emotions to paper like this, you can do anything. Your innocence and curiosity provides such an effective tone for this piece. I'm sure your mother is proud, always there watching over you. Maybe the answers to your questions will present themselves in different ways. Such a thought provoking piece. Not much has gotten through to me lately, so thanks. Good luck with everything

on Dec. 28 2011 at 12:01 pm
Pamplemousse SILVER, Gilbert, Arizona
7 articles 1 photo 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To be happy, Don't do whatever you like, Like whatever you do" -James Barrie (author of Peter Pan)

Absolutely beautiful and moving!

on Dec. 28 2011 at 4:01 am
rolzpolz98 BRONZE, Pune, Other
2 articles 2 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
my favourite movie is my life! ( i dont think that is even a quote but still i just like saying it)

very touching.....a beautiful poem!

KianaBaker said...
on Dec. 27 2011 at 1:31 am
KianaBaker, Alto, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe." -Michael Jackson ♥

This Is Beautiful

on Dec. 21 2011 at 9:42 pm
LetMeFeel BRONZE, Brooklyn, New York
3 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Let me feel; I don't care if I break down. Let me fall, even if I hit the ground...At least I'll know I lived."

I cried so much after reading this. Amazing!

on Dec. 21 2011 at 12:53 pm
chantel15 BRONZE, Newyork,bronx, New York
2 articles 0 photos 8 comments
this poem is amazing , i cant relate to losing someone so close to me and its diffcult to adjust to them not being in your life anymore.when your use to them everyday.

eliana924 GOLD said...
on Dec. 20 2011 at 11:34 pm
eliana924 GOLD, New York, New York
11 articles 0 photos 116 comments
This is so heart-wrenching! Amazing job! I really like starting with "and" and then repeating it throughout. My only suggestion is that you might want to experiment with line breaks. But it's really a gorgeous poem :)

on Dec. 14 2011 at 9:32 pm
_emmadilemma_, Private, Colorado
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All of the secrets in the world are contained in books. Read at your own risk." -Lemony Snicket

Beautiful! I love the idea of "looking through her glasses, to see what she saw" 

Katie-jo said...
on Dec. 14 2011 at 4:25 pm
Katie-jo, Triangle, Virginia
0 articles 0 photos 61 comments
This. Is. So. Sad. My mom almost died a few years ago...I remember seeing her in the hospital. She was asleep, and I remember being afraid to hold her hand...this poem makes me appreciate her more. You are a truly talented writer.

mmcknight said...
on Dec. 14 2011 at 1:46 pm
mmcknight, Clayton, Louisiana
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
never give up what you can't live without-unknown

i know how you feel i lost my dad in 2007 and it has ben hard for me. but i know he is in heaven smiling down on me! great poem. loved it!