A Mother’s Prayer

Summary

"A Mother's Prayer" is an ekphrastic poem by Gloria D. Gonsalves, inspired by a 5-year-old's sunflower drawing, expressing a mother's hope for her child's safety amidst conflict.

Abstract

The poem "A Mother’s Prayer" by Gloria D. Gonsalves is an artistic expression inspired by a sunflower drawing created by a 5-year-old boy named Wesley. The poem serves as a heartfelt plea from a mother's perspective, seeking protection and courage for her son in the face of war and violence. It is a tribute to all the women who have sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and male relatives in war zones, whether as civilians or soldiers. The poem is a featured response to the prompt 'Connecting With a Sunflower' by Carolyn Hastings, and it is published alongside a reworked version of Wesley's original art. Gloria D. Gonsalves is recognized as a prolific author of children's stories and a multi-published poet, with her work appearing in various literary magazines and journals.

Opinions

The poem conveys a deep emotional plea for the safety and well-being of children affected by war.
The author emphasizes the importance of hope and courage in the midst of adversity, using the metaphor of the sun and its rays to symbolize these qualities.
The reworked art piece accompanying the poem is a collaborative effort that honors the child's original creation while adding the author's own artistic interpretation.
The poem is a celebration of Wesley's birthday and an acknowledgment of the impact his innocent drawing has had on others.
The author's background in children's literature and poetry is presented as a testament to her expertise and the depth of her work, with her books being available on Amazon.

Ekphrastic poem on the sunflower drawing by a 5-year-old

Reworked art by the author from original sunflower art by 5-year-old Wesley

I pray for a miracle, to keep his yellow sea, bearing waves of laughter, from the time of birth to these times of horror.

Merciful skies, hear me and send the sun, in degrees of pride, with rays of courage, to the cities and suburbs of my son’s heart, even when it rains bombs in his yellow sea.

Amen.

A very happy birthday to Carolyn’s five-year-old grandson, Wesley, who inspired us with his single sunflower drawing.

The poem is an ode to all the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts whose sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, and male relatives are in the war zone as civilians or soldiers.

Gloria is a prolific author of children’s stories inspired mostly by nature. She is also a multi-published poet and her poetry has appeared in various literary magazines and journals including featured five times by National/Global Poetry Writing Month (Na/GloPoWriMo). You can find her books here.

A Mother’s Prayer

Ekphrastic poem on the sunflower drawing by a 5-year-old

Connecting With a Sunflower

Gifts of happiness and optimism as we remember mothers