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A Birthmother's

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A Birthmother's Book of Poetry

by Susan Van Sleet
Post Adoption Consultant
bsab@antigopro.net

Written for the purpose of promoting deeper understanding about the adoption experience of the nineteen sixties, ... and the silenced emotions carried within my own heart for nearly three decades.

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A Few Thoughts

As an artist it seemed quite natural for me to

paint. Deep emotions were released. The poetry, however,

came many years later, after reunion with my

birthdaughter and when I allowed myself to pen them.

As a married woman, and mother of three sons,

it has been a most eventful life. We are family,

my husband, our sons and me.

My firstborn child, a girl, was raised by wonderful

parents she calls mom and dad. She was adopted at birth.

We have met, at her request, and I am known

as Susie to her.

She will probably never completely understand the

adoption experience that physically connected us briefly,

nor should she be expected to.

She has always felt loved and secure

...if only I had known.

The following poems will perhaps enlighten others

who may have lived through the same or similar adoption

experience.

It was a life choice, however, and it was made in

her best interest at the time. She is a lovely woman

and I am grateful that we’ve met.

It has brought me inner peace

of the highest order.


Emotions

A birthmother’s heart knows where it belongs

Yet feelings of yearning are forever strong

Sometimes all alone... she needs it that way

Who can imagine her deep seated sorrow

As each new day becomes a tomorrow

With hope or fear or anger or tears

Her emotions continue over the years ...

And then one day as if by magic

She tries to erase

That haunting thought of

...Who has my face?

I beg of you to understand

Those of you judging in reprimand

It was a different time, a different place

Please leave me alone,

I need my own space ...


We Have Met

And we have grown

Claiming an abstract space

We call our own

Life’s puzzle piece

Shall it remain?

Or leave quietly

As in it came

A heart is always a heart

But then a name, just a name ...


Ode To a Birthmother

When a birthmother’s heart bids her go seek

Healing through truth begins to speak

Of the mother with child not kept together

And the love she gave in trusted measure

...You have permission to unlock your heart

For a child’s life was shared from its very start

Your gift to others so generously shared

Proves love for your child, beyond compare ...


Unprepared

Can you imagine after all of these years

The unspoken words and repressed fears

To confront now the issues never uncovered

And try to explain them to yet another

This child of mine is deserving to know

With knowledge comes truth

Is this truth really needed ...

Back decades ago

Who considered my sorrow

People saw only the day

Unprepared for tomorrow

To the system I say

My tomorrow is here

And where are you now

To help with my fear ...


To My Birthchild

Who are you my child,

raised by another...

Who are you my child

and who is your mother

Who are you my child

will I ever see

Who are you my child,

do you look like me

If fate plays its part

and someday we meet ...

Will the pain be erased,

will we then feel complete

A puzzle at times this

thing called adoption

Yet I know in my heart,

I chose the right option

In closing I know

if fate never takes place

I will see you in heaven

God has saved us our space ...


The Wish

A birthmother’s wish

Might it come true

And how would you know

It is my wish for you

A connection by longing

And with it some fear ...

Will you seek a reunion

Is the time drawing near

Please grant me acceptance

As you hear what I say

It is our first chance

It is our first day ...


A Certificate

A certificate of birth

Filed not with the rest

Years later I knew

You would follow your quest

To find me

To know me

To love me at best ...

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