A daughter can sometimes see her mother not just as a person, but as an all-powerful presence in her life. From the moment she’s born, her mother is in charge of nearly everything, shaping her world. As she grows, she may start to view her mom more as a taskmaster than as someone with her own struggles, regrets, and unfulfilled dreams. But seeing her as a fellow human being—flawed, complex, and real—can open the door to deeper understanding and forgiveness.
Below is a poem by my mother, Marlou Newkirk (an award-winning poet.) We are sharing it because it helped me see her in a new light, not as my mom…but as a young woman.
FIRE & ICE
FIRE & ICE was a lipstick, nail polish
Revlon developed in 1952.
I was 17, junior in high school.
The ads were scrumptious
be creative, have fun, feel attractive.
I am sure there was a sexual connotation
in the name FIRE & ICE but was naively unaware.
With our lips aflame and our nails alight,
pixie styled hair and poodle crinoline skirts we sashayed down the halls.
Young men having trouble with their testosterone
struggled with what to do,
it was 1952.
Girls had hormones too.
Dreamed of school athletes,
wearing their jackets.
Go to sock hops.
Kisses.
I sometimes long for the days of FIRE & ICE.
No appreciation at that time, so eager to move on.
Look back in sorrow at what was promised
and never fulfilled.
