Being a single mother is one of the toughest and most rewarding roles a person can take on. It requires immense strength, patience, love and sacrifice, all while raising a child on their own. This collection of poems is a tribute to all the single mothers out there, honoring their journey and acknowledging their resilience. These poems celebrate the love and sacrifices they make every day to provide a brighter future for their children.
1. Mothers by Nikki Giovanni
the last time i was home
to see my mother we kissed
exchanged pleasantries
and unpleasantries pulled a warm
In Mothers, the speaker recounts a personal memory of seeing her mother sitting in the kitchen one night, bathed in moonlight, and reflects on the impact that moment had on her. It creates a powerful and memorable picture of the mother, who is depicted as beautiful, mysterious, and waiting for something unknown. The speaker notes that she taught her son the poem her mother taught her, demonstrating the way that mothers pass on their wisdom, memories, and traditions from generation to generation
The mother in Mothers must fulfill the duties of both mother and father in their children’s life by imparting knowledge in order to help them form their sense of self. Through its vivid imagery and simple, yet powerful language, Nikki Giovanni celebrates the special bond between mothers and their children and honors the strength, resilience, and love of single mothers everywhere.
2. Good Bones by Maggie Smith
about good bones: This place could be beautiful,
right? You could make this place beautiful.
The speaker in Good Bones is a single mother who is trying to raise her children in a world that can be both beautiful and terrible. She acknowledges the difficulties that come with single motherhood, as she notes that “for every bird, there is a stone thrown at a bird” and “for every loved child, a child broken, bagged, sunk in a lake”. Even the most loving and well-intentioned mothers can face challenges in raising their children, and there are many obstacles that can prevent children from reaching their full potential.
Good Bones by Maggie Smith is a reminder that even in the face of great difficulties, there is always potential for beauty and happiness. Life is short and there are many challenges that come with raising children on her own, but she focuses on the positive aspects of life and tries to instill in her children a sense of hope and optimism. The speaker’s determination and hope, despite the challenges she faces, is an inspiration to all mothers, regardless of whether they are single or not.
3. Black Princess! Black Princess! by Rachel Long
Your doctors will have to sign disclosures too
to protect you, themselves, and of course, The Family
—all being well, your family! Isn’t that exciting?
A real pay-off some might say. Madam.
Rachel Long initiates by describing the thorough background check and vetting process that a black princess must undergo before being deemed suitable for a royal family. The speaker highlights the double standards and discrimination faced by single mothers and how they are expected to prove their worth to society. The speaker also touches upon the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations in terms of occupation, education, and physical appearance.
Through the use of irony and sarcasm, Black Princess! Black Princess! highlights the absurdity of societal expectations and the injustice faced by single mothers. The poem sheds light on the many challenges single mothers face and the difficulties they must overcome to be accepted and validated by society. It serves as a reminder to society to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of single mothers and to work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for them and their children.
4. The Lyric “I” Drives to Pick up Her Children from School: A Poem in the Postconfessional Mode by Olena Kalytiak Davis
“i” has not found, started, finished “i’s” morning poem,
the poem “i” was writing about “i” having sex with the man “i” left her husband for
The Lyric “I” Drives to Pick up Her Children from School: A Poem in the Postconfessional Mode is written in the post-confessional mode, a style of poetry that emerged in response to the confessional mode of poetry popularized in the mid-twentieth century by poets such as Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath. In postconfessional poetry, the speaker often explores their own personal experiences and emotions in a fragmented and unconventional way, blurring the boundaries between reality and art.
In this poem, the speaker, represented by the letter “i,” is a single mother who is trying to write a poem about her recent sexual experiences. The use of the letter “i” rather than a proper name, along with the fragmented and stream-of-consciousness style of the poem, gives the speaker a sense of detachment from their own experiences and emotions. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on her life, her role as a mother, and her struggles as a poet.
Overall, this poem is an exploration of the speaker’s personal experiences and struggles as a single mother and a poet, and the difficulty of balancing these two roles. Olena Kalytiak Davis realizes that life is full of ups and downs and that it’s important to appreciate the good moments, even when things may not be perfect.
Final thoughts
Single mothers are heroes who wear many hats and deserve recognition and appreciation. These four poems serve as a testament to the strength, resilience, and unwavering love of all single mothers. They show that even in the toughest of circumstances, a mother’s love knows no bounds and they will always rise to the challenge. To all the single moms out there, know that you are not alone, and your efforts are appreciated and admired by so many.
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Thomas Dao is the guy who created Poem Home, a website where people can read about all things poetry related. When he’s not busy working on his next project, you can find him reading a good book or spending time with family and friends.
