my mother gave me this pearl necklace
with two dolphins on either side of a caged pearl.
she said the dolphins are us and
the pearl is our love.
the same thing her mother said to her.
the pearl was always precariously positioned
like it could fall out any moment.
maybe that’s why i never wore it;
afraid it would disappear and we’d have
nothing left in the space between us.
the chain on my neck is cold,
never warming up to my body.
i wonder how it became that way.
she made it a point to tell me the pearl was real
as if pearls were rare.
is my mother’s love rare?
*
i don’t want to wear it.
its a chain suffocating me
instead of a reminder of our love
to keep close to my chest.
i keep it tucked away
in the furthest part of my jewelry box;
i don’t know why.
its not like i want a relationship with someone
who could make sterling silver
turn my skin green.
i thought it was supposed to be sweet
to pass down generational gifts,
but i think i got handed hatred
for daughters instead.
she turned the pearl into
the exact opposite of what it meant.
*
maybe it was a different person
who gave me the necklace in the first place.
my mother hasn’t been that person
for a long time.
seventeen-year-old me doesn’t want a relationship with her,
but the hurt little girl who
first got the necklace
is wishing while opening oysters
that if i put on the strangulation device
she’ll love me again.
*
mama, did the pearl mean anything?
was it even real?
would you like me more
if i were your son?
mama, do you like me at all?
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125,021 Literary Works • 672,742 Reviews
hi there! It's a shame this has been inthe Green Room for so long, because I think it deserves more people reading it
I think the pearl in the first line makes it feels a bit wordy and repetitive in the second. Maybe it was intentional, but for as good as this poem is, the first two lines feel a bit weak in terms of language.
Just wow. What a line. Easily one of the favorite things I've read so far this year, on here and elsewhere. It makes such a strong point to show how our parents can say things that they think, or wrongfully hope, make us believe they care for us so deeply, but can either be misconstrued by our minds, or reveal how messed up their way of thinking is. (same goes for diamonds btw total scam)
The ending of this line confused me a bit. Is the MC saying that she would hate her own daughters that she has/could have? Or is it saying that the necklace contained her mother's hatred? It just seems unclear in contrast to much of the poem's less subtle imagery and expression.
[quote]but the hurt little girl who
first got the necklace
is wishing while opening oysters
that if i put on the strangulation device
she’ll love me again./quote]
Another dagger to the heart. Parents love should never have to be earned, but so many children feel this way </3
This is a bit of a heartbreaker, but even for someone like me who had problems with my parents that weren't nearly this devestating, it still calls back to so many of the same issues with expectations, guilt-tripping, emotional manipulation ad so on. And even with all that, our dumb little hearts yearn for that connection, probably something inherent in being someone's child, and so it hurts to be cold andit hurts to reach out. Either way it can feel like loss.
~Messy
hi there! It's a shame this has been inthe Green Room for so long, because I think it deserves more people reading it
I think the pearl in the first line makes it feels a bit wordy and repetitive in the second. Maybe it was intentional, but for as good as this poem is, the first two lines feel a bit weak in terms of language.
Just wow. What a line. Easily one of the favorite things I've read so far this year, on here and elsewhere. It makes such a strong point to show how our parents can say things that they think, or wrongfully hope, make us believe they care for us so deeply, but can either be misconstrued by our minds, or reveal how messed up their way of thinking is. (same goes for diamonds btw total scam)
The ending of this line confused me a bit. Is the MC saying that she would hate her own daughters that she has/could have? Or is it saying that the necklace contained her mother's hatred? It just seems unclear in contrast to much of the poem's less subtle imagery and expression.
[quote]but the hurt little girl who
first got the necklace
is wishing while opening oysters
that if i put on the strangulation device
she’ll love me again./quote]
Another dagger to the heart. Parents love should never have to be earned, but so many children feel this way </3
This is a bit of a heartbreaker, but even for someone like me who had problems with my parents that weren't nearly this devestating, it still calls back to so many of the same issues with expectations, guilt-tripping, emotional manipulation ad so on. And even with all that, our dumb little hearts yearn for that connection, probably something inherent in being someone's child, and so it hurts to be cold andit hurts to reach out. Either way it can feel like loss.
~Messy
Hello, there! Avi here with a review
Wow. This is a lovely, poignant, powerful poem. As someone with my fair share of mama issues, this hit home. Before I dig into the poem, I just want to say how much I appreciate you sharing this with us <333
Now, on to reviewing! I'm reviewing using the YWS S'more Method today!
Top Graham Cracker - What I Know
This poem handles a mother's conditional love from the perspective of a daughter and does so artfully.
Slightly Burnt Marshmallow - Room for Improvements
I can't even find any. This poem is a gold mine.
Chocolate Bar - Highlights of the Piece
The necklace symbolism is beautiful. There are specific lines I adored;
"she made it a point to tell me the pearl was real
as if pearls were rare.
is my mother’s love rare?"
"i thought it was supposed to be sweet
to pass down generational gifts,
but i think i got handed hatred
for daughters instead.
she turned the pearl into
the exact opposite of what it meant."
The entire third stanza hit me hard in my heart. I resonate with this one deeply, having written several poems based on this same imagery of my mother that I have yet to share with yws or anybody.
The fourth stanza beautifully wrapped up such a lovely poem. A specific line ("would you like me more
if i were your son?") jumped out at me. I will refrain from writing a whole "you gave me daughters when i asked for sons" and "boys will be boys" tirade because I feel like you already get/understand it.
Closing Graham Cracker - Closing Thoughts
This is an incredible poem and I don't even have any advice on how to change it. I love your poetry and look forward to reading more!