"Your Mother's Best China"

Forget about 
   your Mother's Best China.

Yes, it sits in your living room hutch
   like a shrine,
   never breathing. 
A testament of your 
   unswerving devotion
   to your lineage,  
Of daughters who sacrificed
   now four generations deep . . . 

You are confident, 
   confident that her China does not
      hold you back, 
      hold you up, 
      keep you silent.  

Your thriving business and recent divorce
   are proof of this.  
Your family, 
   your employees, 
   your friends, 
   your neighbors,
All admire your autonomy, 
   your tenacity, 
   your willingness to help others. 

But they are not privy   
   to your inner Best China,
The space that blocks your 
   Heart's Desire from You . . . 

That favorite dress that you
   only wear for the most important occasions. 

Your recording of Maria Callas
   that you don't put on because it's 
   just too beautiful.

The massage you allow yourself
   only when you desperately need it.

The figs from your neighbor's vineyard
   they spoil you with,
   that you let spoil in your fridge because they're 
   just too delicious.

The 20-minute bike ride to the beach you
   only do with someone else.  

Your Soul is begging you to take your
   Mother's Best China
And place each item 
   in an innocuous, yet obvious place
   in your Heart.

The only question is, 
   Will you listen? 

  

 

September 2019

 

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©2019, Michael Smolens