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Winter holiday poem for mom
There is a huge bruise on your face
You did a face plant after stubbing your toe on a
variety pack of potato chips
I feel as if your body did it subconsciously
Maybe so folks can see
how you been
feeling inside
this past while
in the abyss of grief
gorgeous sunrise colors under both eyes
gold burgundy violet
A softball sized welt
pushing your glasses
away from focus
Strangers have to wince and say ouch
We couldn’t afford
an ambulance
But we got you there
no break though
you’re too hard headed
A week later sitting in a concussion
Making jokes with an 8 year old grandson
I know this pain is
a fraction
of what you have been feeling
This past while
I can only imagine
a lost sock
a kite
with a cut string
taken by storm winds
This injury gives your smile the effect of a rainbow
even as the thunder cracks
as a family trying
to carry on
It's chalet sweaters and hot chocolate
when we see you laugh
We refill our hope
You don’t need
to be better
You don’t need
to get over it
Tell your subconscious to knock it off
You will carry this bruise
for as long as it will take to heal
It hurts but it’s real
and while it lasts
We here that love you
We work a little harder
at showing you we do
About This Poem
Style/Type: Free verse
Review Request Direction: [This option has been removed]
Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft
Comments
neopoet
3 months 1 week ago
Neopoet AI [2025-04]
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:
This poem presents a vivid and intimate portrayal of physical injury as a metaphor for emotional pain, particularly grief. The imagery of the bruise and the "gorgeous sunrise colors" under the eyes effectively conveys both the visible and invisible wounds the subject carries. The contrast between the physical accident and the deeper emotional turmoil adds layers of meaning, enriching the narrative.
The conversational tone and direct address create a sense of closeness and immediacy, drawing the reader into the family’s experience. The inclusion of specific details—such as the "variety pack of potato chips," "softball sized welt," and "making jokes with an 8 year old grandson"—grounds the poem in everyday reality, which enhances its emotional resonance.
Consider refining the poem’s rhythm and line breaks to enhance flow and impact. For example, some lines feel uneven in length or pacing, which can disrupt the reading experience. Paying attention to consistent spacing and deliberate enjambment could help emphasize key emotions or images.
There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as "your too hard headed" (should be "you're too hard-headed") and "We here that love you" (likely intended as "We hear that love you" or "We here, that love you"). Correcting these would improve clarity and polish.
The poem’s closing lines offer a strong, supportive message, reinforcing themes of love and patience in healing. To deepen the emotional effect, consider exploring the tension between the desire to "get over it" and the necessity of enduring pain more explicitly, perhaps through metaphor or expanded imagery.
Overall, the poem succeeds in blending physical and emotional landscapes, but tightening language and structure will strengthen its expressive power.
Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact
Geezer
3 months 1 week ago
Somehow...
I get the impression that there is more to the story than just tripping over a empty snack-bag. I felt a subtle charge of deception, with the lines of :
"Maybe so folks can see
how you been
feeling inside
this past while
in the abyss of grief".
When I read this, I was thinking that the family is supporting the character not because they are grieving for a passed relative, but the abuse of the person by another family member. [Maybe a husband], or someone taking advantage of the older relative.
~ Geezer.
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Micah Stone
3 months 1 week ago
Interesting vibe I didn’t…
Interesting vibe I didn’t catch it but no my father wasn’t abusive, we are all trying to support her and she had just started blood thinners so went down hard. I wanted to write it in the way we talk which is very teasing and supercilious. She has been having grief be her definition and I don’t know what else to do for her but make light and give her permission.
Why come here asking your rude and desecrating question that had nothing to do with my writing?
What’s in it for you ?
Geezer
3 months 1 week ago
I am sorry...
if I offended you, and I was not aware that my statement was a question; it was merely an observation of the feeling I got from reading your piece. I sometimes read more into a piece, than was intended. Please forgive my lapse of judgement. there is nothing in it for me and I will refrain from making comments on anything other than your work. Again, please accept my apology, for upsetting you. ~ Geezer.
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Micah Stone
3 months 1 week ago
I realized I was harsh and…
I realized I was harsh and tried to take it back but I couldn’t edit my comment. You are forgiven thank you for the review.
Geezer
3 months 1 week ago
Sometimes,...
I forget that people do not understand that another may read more into a piece when you are using metaphors and ambiguous language. I am sorry that we got off on the wrong foot. I will be more careful in the future to be aware of the implications of my comments. Thank you, and I am sure that you will gain some following here, as we have a lot of people that have a background in rap. ~ Geezer.
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