Mama | Teen Ink

Mama MAG

September 16, 2008
By Anonymous

Mama says, smiling, “We cook for our families,”
as she deftly spins her spoon in a bowl like a whirlwind.
Today, she is making cupcakes.
It is my first birthday.
She lets me taste the batter with my unknowing infant palate.
As I gaze out into the bobbing sea from my bassinet,
I am confused.
It starts to rain.
Mama says, softly, “We cook with tradition,”
as she folds dough over with her spoon.
This afternoon, she is baking babka bread.
It is Christmas Eve.
She lets me add raisins to the dough with my tiny hands.
As I look out into the white shore with cinnamon smells swirling midair,
I am excited.
Snow begins to fall.
Mama says, gently, “We cook with our ancestors.”
She gently stirs the meat in her crock with her spoon.
Tonight, she is making sugared beans and pork.
I am graduating university.
She lets me add pieces of bacon to the pot, cooking with judgment.
As I look toward my family and accomplishments,
I am content.
The sun begins to set.
Mama says, excitedly, “We cook for the future,”
as her favorite wooden spoon beats against the bowl.
She is frosting my wedding cake.
Today, I am getting married at Mama’s house on the ocean.
I look at myself, all dressed in white.
I see Mama’s face in mine.
I am proud to be my mother’s daughter.
The sun is just beginning to rise.



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This article has 17 comments.


on Feb. 23 2012 at 11:44 am
dramagurl13 GOLD, West Jordan, Utah
13 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
There are too many phrases that don't make sense! Such as- "Today has been a long day." Hello? Each day is 24 hrs, last time I checked. And "No news is good news." Umm... what if they were kidnapped? Or they were murdered? Stupid English language.

This is awesome! I love cooking with my mom! :)

Phoenixx GOLD said...
on Sep. 12 2010 at 12:15 am
Phoenixx GOLD, Toronto, Other
17 articles 0 photos 184 comments
awhhhhh very cute :)

on May. 20 2009 at 8:08 pm
FashionGuru DIAMOND, Manhattan, New York
55 articles 0 photos 92 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I don't do fashion, I am fashion." -Coco Chanel

You're piece is touching. I liked it alot!

on May. 9 2009 at 3:06 pm
one_of_a_kind_girl GOLD, N/A, California
16 articles 0 photos 58 comments
oooooh it gave me shivvers at the end!!! i love it!!

New here said...
on Feb. 19 2009 at 1:19 am
Very adorable, I have a good relationship with my mom, and to me this was really sweet. Check out my work at- TeenInk.com/raw/Poetry/article/83793/To-Become/

poetess123 said...
on Jan. 18 2009 at 3:15 pm
Oh my gosh i loved this poem so much! Very sweet with alot of innocence, and it reminds me of a rose. Very delicate... but strong in its own way.

kelsey1027 said...
on Jan. 13 2009 at 10:03 pm
I like this but I'm not sure about having the mother speak in the poem. It sounds more like a story

DemonicAngel said...
on Jan. 9 2009 at 10:47 pm
This was fantastic! In the beginning I was expecting some tear-jerker ending about the mom succumbing to some sort of illness, which is so cliche, in my opinion, but it was a really nice, feel-good way to end. It was so beautiful. I just loved it.

on Jan. 5 2009 at 4:13 pm
Great flow and great job in making simplicity into something so powerful.

holmes#4 said...
on Jan. 5 2009 at 3:28 pm
this was really good!

on Jan. 2 2009 at 8:13 pm
I LUV this poem! It is amazing. its different than what i ususally read so :)

tweedle dee said...
on Dec. 30 2008 at 2:00 am
this gave me shivers and i almost started crying. i love it!!!

Kiertra said...
on Dec. 22 2008 at 5:07 am
This Is sooo sweet, I hope you keep writing like this!

Miranda said...
on Dec. 14 2008 at 2:56 am
oh my god..i started crying..this is..amazing

Mickey said...
on Dec. 9 2008 at 9:15 pm
THAT WAS SO GOOD...IT STARTED SMALL AND GOT BIG INTO...IT FELT LIKE AN EXPLOSTION

on Nov. 26 2008 at 4:03 am
This was really cute =]

Bella said...
on Sep. 20 2008 at 6:15 pm
your an amazing wtitter katie!