Comment from the blue pixel

Excellent

I didn't expect your poem to take the turn it did Debra. More should be written about what I imagine is the post partum blues though I hope it wasn't so bad as to be classified as that but I know what you mean. We are somehow all expected to just instinctively know what to do with a tiny slippery demanding little thing. My husband seemed to think that too and was scared to death to go near our daughter. Best of luck in the contest. xx Carol

 Comment Written 12-May-2014

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reply by the author on 13-May-2014

Hi Carol :) Thank you for your great feedback, I think we all get a touch of the baby blues in some measure, thankfully, mine passed after about 4 months - it was a horrible time, I felt robbed of the jubilation you expect a new mother to feel... that part passed me by! I know what you mean about your husband being scared to go near the baby too... we were checking Ben every minute to make sure he was breathing! Baby's 2 & 3 were so easy in comparison!
Kindest regards as always, Debra xx

Comment from Connie C

Exceptional

What a great entry for this contest which I'm sure has probably ended by now. I think my daughter, who gave birth two months ago, might have gone through some of what you describe here. But she is now in a much better state, once she was able to get out of the house and take baby with her. Your portrayal of those first days after birth is excellent here. I hope you did well in the contest.
Hugs,
Connie

 Comment Written 12-May-2014

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reply by the author on 13-May-2014

Hi Connie :) Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and 6* award! I really appreciate it :D
I think all new mothers go through the baby-blues to some degree. We take for granted that everything will immediately fall into place. We also take for granted that we will bond with our baby and know instinctively how to be a mother. When that doesn't happen, the results can be demoralising and devastating. Too proud to admit that that 'natural' thing isn't coming naturally is the first hurdle. I was just too ashamed to jump the first hurdle so it took a while for me to get there (the first time around anyway!) Ben and I have a wonderful bond though and I'm so thankful that those first few months didn't impact on our relationship.
Kindest regards as always, Debra xx

Comment from daeneam

Excellent

I'm so late for voting... I apologized. I have attended a very important activity that's why I was away from my computer. I'll be catching up next time and try to be prompt. Cheers to the winners and to the contenders as well as the organizer! c", Mae

 Comment Written 12-May-2014

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reply by the author on 13-May-2014

Hi Mae :) Thank you for commenting and don't worry, real life is more important! Kindest regards, Debra :)

Comment from Warren Rodgers

Excellent

Hi Debra, This is quite an emotional write and done very well in conveying emotion to the reader and it fits the artwork perfectly. I'm sorry to read this is biographical but I think many new mothers feel inadequate at the start. I like the structure of your poem. It has rhyme but feels more like free verse, nothing is forced. I'm glad to hear you came through that part of life but poetry is a good way to express that emotion. Very well done!
All the best,
Rodger

 Comment Written 11-May-2014

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reply by the author on 12-May-2014

Hi Rodger :) Thank you for your great feedback... I find poetry to be a wonderful outlet - it's almost like therapy. I wish I'd discovered poetry earlier in life! Kindest regards as always, Debra :)

Comment from Smoothiecool

Excellent

good luck in the contest

your well penned words allow the reader to see and feel the depression of a new Mother and feeling inadequate to help her new born while other seemed so competent at this task
so the hiding all of this from others

this is deep and well written

cheers Smoothiecool

 Comment Written 11-May-2014

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reply by the author on 12-May-2014

Thank you for your lovely feedback and good luck wishes. Much appreciate as always, kindest regards, Debra :)

reply by Smoothiecool on 12-May-2014

most welcome
hope goes well in contest
cheers...SC >> Faye

Comment from Val Crisson

Excellent

Great free verse about "post partum depression" Yes, having a baby is wonderful, but taking care of an infant is daunting. This is a great example of the fact, "that life is messy" Very well written with a wonderful presentation.

 Comment Written 10-May-2014

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reply by the author on 11-May-2014

Thank you Val for your great feedback. Kindest regards as always, Debra :)

Comment from Uniqusatya

Good

OMG Debra,that a very strong one.Thanks for the author notes that i could interpret it your way else the last two stanzas take readers to different directions.
Your rhyme did well :)

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 Comment Written 10-May-2014

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reply by the author on 10-May-2014

Hi Uniqusatya, thank you for your feedback, I appreciate your comments.
I'm intrigued to know where your imagination was taking you as nobody else who reviewed the poem commented that it was misleading in any way! Do you have any suggestions for improvement at all?
Kindest regards, Debra

Comment from visionary1234

Excellent

Excellent write in response to the art work prompt Debra! The skippy meter makes it feel 'light' but the message is very real. I went thru those first few months half asleep, wondering what the hell had hit me. I don't think ANYONE really prepares us for Baby Blues!
:)Sharyn

 Comment Written 10-May-2014

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reply by the author on 10-May-2014

Hi Sharyn :) Thank you for your great feedback. I think it was a big slug of reality mixed in with hormones, after years of longing and wearing rose-tinted shades! Not the greatest time of my life, but we got through it ok :) With babies no 2 & 3 the baby blues stayed away I'm glad to say! Kindest regards as always, Debra :)

Comment from NicciFaye

Excellent

Blunt and bold...sad...motherhood can be scary if its the first baby and your by yourself. Been there...while in the military. Powerful poem Debra!

 Comment Written 10-May-2014

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reply by the author on 10-May-2014

Hi NicciFaye, thank you for your great feedback :) Thankfully I wasn't on my own, my husband was home for the first 4 weeks but when he went back to work I found it so hard. I dreaded being alone with the baby, it felt like he didn't like me and though I loved him I just felt detached. The first 3 months or so were tough, then it was like the mist lifted... He's almost 9 now and thriving! Kindest regards, Debra :)

Comment from Njorgensen

Excellent

This is very well written. Wow! Great job. It has a sadness, resentment and a touch of anger. It is easy to see how the picture inspired you.
I had post-partum depression with my second child. It is scary and difficult to go through, to be sure. I'm so glad to hear you and baby Ben came out of it okay.

Njorgensen

 Comment Written 09-May-2014

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reply by the author on 10-May-2014

Thank you so much Njorgensen for your kind and empathetic comments. I truly appreciate it! Kindest regards, Debra :)