Lesson 2: Two Mothers Remembered

A Read the poem and answer the following questions

Two Mothers Remembered -Joann Snow Duncanson

I had two Mothers - two Mothers I claim Two different people, yet with the same name. Two separate women, diverse by design, But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here, Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career. She was the one whose features I bear, Complete with the facial expressions I wear. She gave me her love, which follows me yet, Along with the examples in life she set. As I got older, she somehow younger grew, And we'd laugh as just Mothers and daughters do. But then came the time that her mind clouded so, And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go. So quickly she changed and turned into the other, A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm's length, But now she was the child and I was her strength. We'd come full circle, we women three,

Questions My mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day, When a new Mother comes and the old goes away, I'd ask of them nothing that I didn't do. Love both of your Mothers as both have loved you.

Ask and answer the questions in pairs.

1. How are the two mothers different from each other? How are they the same?
2. What did the first mother do to the speaker?
3. Who was the speaker's second mother? Describe her briefly.
4. What would be the speaker's advice to her own children?
5. Who are the three women referred to in the poem? Briefly describe them.
6. What should children do to their mother and why?
7. Do you like this poem? Why?