By Njikonye Charles Nnamdi My mother is the vibrant sepals of a flower, and I'm the tender petals she protects. Ask me of a wonderful mother, and I'll novel you my mother, with marvels only second to God. My mother was birthed a few years after the Nigerian-Biafran war, of which her entry into this world was the bloom of her parents. She was the patience they seeded in themselves that an era of no war, a time of healing after the war, would come by. And they named her after that patience. They called her ‘Ndidi,’ the Igbo meaning for patience. I tuck my mother's name into my skin pores wherever I go; I'm strutting in a long queue, her name is Patience, and I breathe it in. My mother was moulded with an elegant face by God. Her eyes are beautifully shaped and sparkling, glinting enough that grimy spots in my life would light up whenever she gazes upon me. These eyes of hers are sheathed in so much hope and longingness to see souls flourish. Words from mother can morph out a conqueror from a soul shattered into a million pieces. Whenever my thoughts are heavy, I go to my mother, and she teaches me comfort. Her words are like medicine and therapies. My aches, like fine hands repairing broken bridges adjoining me to my destiny. I call her ‘mummy,’ and roses melt on my tongue. When my siblings and I were much younger, mother would be up from bed before cock crow to prepare our school meal and get the family set for the day. She taught us about staying attentive and settling our best into executing goals, but we had long learnt and adopted this from her while observing her carry out daily routine because, as they say, action speaks louder than words. Sometimes, I wondered if she had sufficient sleep at night. I'd ask her, and she'd always say she's doing well. I know mother is a bit stressed, but she says this, so I don't worry about her. Mother sometimes cries when things aren't right— she's human too. Still having wet her cheeks with tears, it doesn't define her as a weakling because my mother is as strong as a giant and brave like a lion. She's a thick rope and binds our family together. How do we repay the kindness of a mother? When my mother is old, and her bones grow brittle, I'll be there for her like she was present for me. And then, mother will be tender petals of a flower, and I, the vibrant sepals protecting her. I love my mother. Writer’s Biography
Njikonye Charles Nnamdi (he/him) writes stories, poems, and blog posts. He enjoys watching films, reading, and doing internet research. His works have appeared in Eremite Poetry, NantyGreens, Last Girls Club Magazine, and others. He aspires to be a medical doctor. In addition, he has interests in climate change, entrepreneurship, and technology.
24 Comments
3/5/2022 08:34:27 am
This is beautiful. Mother's love can never be overemphasized.
Reply
Benjamin Chidozie
6/5/2022 03:33:09 pm
A song for mothers touches the soul more than warm bathing water in the early hours of the winter.
Reply
Ihekwereme Ezekiel Favour
6/5/2022 04:36:25 pm
This is awesome.
Reply
Mohammed Abubakar Usman
6/5/2022 06:19:30 pm
This is not only a beautifully written sing for a mother, it is a " thank you mum" for all you do write-up!
Reply
Deh Julius
7/5/2022 11:56:23 am
While reading I could see a picture of my own mother. Indeed mothers are wonderful. I love the imagery created with these lines "...mother is the vibrant sepals of flower and I am the tender petals she protects"... and how the role is switched at the end of the poem reminds me of my role as a responsible child.
Reply
Izang Alexander Haruna
8/5/2022 03:13:48 pm
Beautiful comment, the reversal of role as poetically rendered sets the piece as compact and well plotted. You've got eyes.
Reply
Zoe Yahmi
9/5/2022 10:43:15 pm
This is absolutely beautiful. It stirs emotions within me; the immense love of a mother, her care and sacrifices. My favorite line is, “And then, mother will be tender petals of a flower, and I, the vibrant sepals protecting her. I love my mother” - I love the way the positions are reversed in juxtaposition with the first line.
Reply
Joy
10/5/2022 12:03:18 am
The impact of a mother.
Reply
Tonjiye
11/5/2022 09:16:23 am
The sacrifices of motherhood in words.
Reply
Mercie Akerah
12/5/2022 04:56:44 pm
Oh my God!
Reply
Osas Unuane
13/5/2022 12:33:06 pm
Charles Nnamdi has penned down almost my exact thought about mothers.
Reply
Emmanuel Esther Kuje
13/5/2022 08:54:02 pm
Wow!
Reply
Okpotu Ruth Anyaole
15/5/2022 10:49:33 am
Beautiful lines the love and sacrifice of a mother can indeed not be overemphasized
Reply
Oghome Evwierhoma
17/5/2022 04:08:42 pm
This is so sweet, so authentic. ‘Her name is patience, so I breathe it in’. So so so sweet!
Reply
Esther Sogunle
17/5/2022 04:25:53 pm
Mothers I'd say the most wonderful creatures on earth. They make you feel good as if all is well even when things are not going well and then start their own brooding when you wouldn't see them.
Reply
Onyeka Okonji
17/5/2022 06:00:37 pm
A good write-up
Reply
Ogugua Okwudili
18/5/2022 03:59:00 pm
A flowing stream of love song to a beloved mother.
Reply
Olamide Ojediran
19/5/2022 03:53:48 pm
First of all, I love the sepals and petals analogy. It screams a fan of Biology😂😂😂. This is such a wonderful piece that I can relate to. According to this post, a mother’s love cannot be measured and this piece tells me that our mothers are truly superheroes with a big heart. This post is a 10/10
Reply
Philip
19/5/2022 04:50:00 pm
"How do I repay the kindness of my mother?"
Reply
Marvellous Oguntoye
20/5/2022 11:15:54 pm
This is beautiful. Absolutely! ❤️❤️❤️
Reply
Chinzak Lekyong
21/5/2022 10:24:08 am
Mother's love is supreme
Reply
21/5/2022 03:28:32 pm
Wow... I've seen many piece on Womanhood/Motherhood but this talks of one who writes from a personal experience. I can say that the writer really does have a mother. He has been touched of a Mother. Will it be too feminine to say he's received a motherly touch. On him are the marks of his mother.
Reply
27/5/2022 08:22:51 pm
I'm utterly marveled at how beautiful this piece of work is. Charles Nnamdi brings to life the immense love mothers exude and how beautiful their hearts are. I almost cried reading this. The first and last paragraphs are my favorite as there's a reversal from the child being the one needing care and protection to the Mother needing it when she's old and her bones are brittle. Kudos for a flawless piece.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
SprinNG Quicklinks
For inquiries regarding publications email:
contact@SprinNG.org and we will respond to you within 48hrs. |