Two Mothers Remembered

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,

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.

দুই জন মা স্মরণে
জোয়ান স্নো ডানকানসন

আমার ছিল দু‘জন মা — দু‘জন মা, আমি দাবি করি,
দুইজন ভিন্ন মানুষ, তবুও এক নাম তাঁদের পরিচয়ধারী।
দুইটি আলাদা নারী, ভিন্নভাবে গঠিত,
তবুও দু‘জনকেই ভালোবাসতাম, কারণ তাঁরা ছিলেন আমার নিজস্ব।

প্রথম মা যিনি আমাকে এই পৃথিবীতে এনেছেন,
জন্ম দিয়েছেন, লালন–পালন করেছেন, আর আমার পথচলা শুরু করিয়েছেন।
আমার চেহারায় তাঁরই ছাপ,
আমার মুখভঙ্গি, হাসি — সব তাঁর থেকেই পাওয়া।

তিনি আমাকে ভালোবাসা দিয়েছেন, যা এখনও আমাকে ঘিরে রাখে,
সাথে দিয়েছেন জীবনের শিক্ষা, যা এখনও আমার সঙ্গে থাকে।
যত বড় হয়েছি, মনে হয়েছে তিনিও যেন তরুণী হয়ে উঠছেন,
আমরা হাসতাম, একসঙ্গে — মা–মেয়ের মতো, বন্ধু হয়ে যেন।

কিন্তু এক সময় এলো, যখন তাঁর মনে ছায়া নামল,
আর আমি অনুভব করলাম, যাঁকে আমি চিনি, তিনি আর থাকবেন না বলেই যেন ভাবল।
হঠাৎ করেই তিনি বদলে গেলেন, হয়ে উঠলেন অন্য এক নারী,
একজন অপরিচিত, যিনি আমার মায়ের জামা পরিহিত ভারি।

ওহ, দূর থেকে দেখলে তিনি একেবারে আগের মতো,
কিন্তু এখন তিনি যেন শিশুর মতো, আর আমি হয়েছি তাঁর শক্তি–ভরসার আলো।
আমরা তিনজন নারী যেন ঘুরে এলাম এক পূর্ণ বৃত্তে,
আমি, আমার মা, আর তাঁর স্মৃতির শেষ সীমান্তে।

আমার মা – প্রথম, দ্বিতীয় – আর আমি।
আর যদি কোনোদিন আমার সন্তানদের জীবনে আসে সেই দিন,
যখন নতুন একটি মা আসে আর পুরনোটি চলে যায়,
আমি তাদের কাছে কিছুই চাইব না যা আমি নিজে করিনি।
তোমার দুই মাকেই ভালোবাসো, যেমন করে দু’জনেই তোমাকে ভালোবেসেছে।

Theme (মূলভাব) in English:

The poem shows the deep love between a daughter and her mother. It also tells how a daughter takes care of her mother when she grows old and forgetful. The mother becomes like a child, and the daughter becomes her guide. The poem teaches us to love and care for our parents, even when they change with age.

বাংলায় মূলভাব:

এই কবিতাটি একটি মেয়ে ও তার মায়ের গভীর ভালোবাসার কথা বলে কবিতায় দেখা যায়, যখন মা বুড়ো হয়ে যান এবং সব ভুলে যেতে থাকেন, তখন মেয়ে তাকে আগলে রাখে। মা তখন যেন একটি শিশুর মতো হয়ে যান, আর মেয়ে হয় তার ভরসা। এই কবিতা আমাদের শেখায়—বয়স হলে মা–বাবাকে ভালোবাসা ও যত্ন দেওয়া আমাদের দায়িত্ব।

Summary (সারাংশ) in English:

The poet talks about having “two Mothers”—but both are the same person. The first mother is the one who gave birth, cared for her, and loved her deeply. She was full of joy, laughter, and strength. As time passed, the mother became old and her mind changed. She started forgetting things and became like a child. Now, the daughter took care of her, just like the mother did when the daughter was young. The poet says that this is a circle of life. At the end, she asks her own children to love her in both stages—just like she loved her own mother in both forms.

বাংলায় সারাংশ:

কবিতায় কবি বলেন, তার “দুটি মা” ছিল—কিন্তু তারা একই মানুষ। প্রথম মা তাকে জন্ম দেন, ভালোবাসেন এবং বড় করেন। তারা একসাথে হাসি–আনন্দ ভাগ করে নেন। কিন্তু সময়ের সাথে মা বৃদ্ধ হন, এবং তার মন ধীরে ধীরে দুর্বল হয়ে পড়ে। তখন মা যেন একটি শিশুর মতো হয়ে যান। মেয়ে তখন মায়ের যত্ন নিতে শুরু করে। কবি বলেন, এটা জীবনচক্রের একটি অংশ। শেষে, তিনি তার সন্তানদের বলেন—যেমন তিনি তার মাকে দুই অবস্থায় ভালোবেসেছেন, তেমন তার সন্তানরাও যেন তাকেও ভালোবাসে।

Words

Word / Phrase	Bangla	Synonyms	Antonyms
Nurtured (v)	লালনপালন করা	Cared for, raised	Neglected
Features (n)	মুখাবয়ব বা মুখের বৈশিষ্ট্য	Facial traits, characteristics	—
Clouded (v)	অস্পষ্ট বা ঝাপসা হয়ে যাওয়া (চিন্তা বা মন)	Blurred, fogged	Cleared
At arm’s length (phrase)	হাতে ধরার দূরত্ব	Close enough to touch	Far away
Come full circle (idiom)	একই অবস্থায় ফিরে আসা	Returned to the beginning	Unresolved
Stranger (n)	অজানা ব্যক্তি	Unknown person	Familiar person
Strength (n)	শক্তি, ভরসা	Support, power	Weakness
Loved (v)	ভালোবাসা করেছিল	Cared for, cherished	Hated, ignored

 

Answer the following questions.

(a) Which two different mothers does the poet refer to in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”?

(b) Describe the divine relationship between the poet and her mother.

(c) Why does the poet describe her mother as “a stranger dressed in my mother’s clothes”?

(d) How are the two mothers different from each other?

(e) Who was the first mother? What did she do to the poet?

(f) “A mother’s love for the children is divine.” – Do you support it? Why/Why not?

(g) How does the relationship between the poet and her first mother evolve in “Two mothers remembered”?

(h) What does the second mother symbolize in the poem “Two mothers remembered”?

(i) Why are the body and the mind in separate places during reading a book?

(j) What role did the first mother play in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”?

(k) What lasting gifts did the first mother give, according to “Two Mothers Remembered”?

(l) Why does the speaker say she loves both mothers in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”?

(m) When did the poet sense that her mother would soon pass away?

(n) How are they the same?

(o) What did the first mother do to the speaker?

(p) Who was the speaker’s second mother? Describe her briefly.

(q) What would be the speaker’s advice to her own children?

(r) Who are the three women referred to in the poem? Briefly describe them.

(s) What should children do to their mother and why?

(t) Do you like this poem? Why?

(u) How does the poet describe the change in her mother over time?

(v) What is the significance of the title “Two Mothers Remembered”?

(w) How does the poem convey the theme of role reversal in parent-child relationships?

Answer

(a) The first mother, who gave birth, nurtured, and loved the poet, maintaining the usual mother-daughter relationship. The second mother, who, due to aging or illness, became a ‘stranger’ to the poet, requiring her child to care for her as the poet had once been cared for.

(b) The poet describes the relationship with her mother as sacred, pure, and unbreakable. It is a divine bond built on love, nurturing, and sacrifice. The mother’s love elevates and shapes the poet’s life and identity.

(c) The poet describes her mother as “a stranger dressed in my mother’s clothes” to convey the emotional transformation that occurred when her mother’s mind deteriorated. While her mother physically resembled the woman she once knew, the actions and behavior seemed unfamiliar, like a stranger inhabiting her mother’s body.

(d) The first mother was the one who gave birth, nurtured, and cared for the poet, guiding her through life. The second mother, due to age or illness, became dependent on the poet, reversing roles, with the poet now acting as the caregiver and strength for her mother.

(e) The first mother was the poet’s biological mother, the one who gave birth to her and raised her. She nurtured the poet, set life examples, and shared a close, loving bond with her, all while maintaining the role of a mother guiding her child’s development.

(f) Yes, I support this view. A mother’s love is often seen as unconditional, selfless and enduring. It is one of the purest forms of love, guiding and nurturing throughout their lives, and is considered divine because it transcends any earthly understanding of love.

(g) The poet’s relationship with her first mother changes from being cared for to taking care of her mother as she gets older and weaker. At first, the mother gives love and guidance, but as she becomes ill, the poet becomes the one who provides strength and support.

(h) The second mother symbolizes the change that happens when the poet’s mother becomes sick and loses her strength. She represents the shift in roles, where the child has to take care of the parent.

(i) The poet suggests that while the body remains in one place, the mind transports itself to different lands, ages, or imaginary worlds, fully immersed in the story or ideas of the book.

(j) The first mother gave birth to the speaker. She nurtured them and guided them through life, shaping their features, personality, and early experiences.

(k) The first mother gave the speaker love that continues to follow them. She also provided valuable life lessons, a sense of identity, and the physical features that the speaker carries with them.

(l) In “Two Mothers Remembered,” the speaker loves both mothers because each one played a significant and irreplaceable role in her life. The first mother gave birth and nurtured the speaker, while the second mother took on a caregiving role when the first mother aged, showing that she had a deep and unending impact.

(m) The poet sensed that her mother would soon pass away when her mother’s mind clouded, and she noticed that the mother she knew was changing. This is indicated in the lines, “But then came the time that her mind clouded so, and I sensed that the mother I knew would soon go.”

(n) Both mothers shared the same physical appearance, the same name, and the speaker’s love for them remained constant. Both played vital roles in the speaker’s life, teaching her love and compassion.

(o) The first mother gave the poet life and nurtured her as she grew. She also supported the poet in her development, education and to a career. This reflects the mother’s role in the poet’s success and personal growth.

(p) The second mother was the same person as the first but changed due to aging and illness. She became childlike, dependent, and vulnerable, needing her daughter’s strength and care.

(q) The speaker advises her children to love and care for both versions of their mother—the nurturing one and the dependent one—just as she had loved and cared for her own two mothers.

(r) The three women are the speaker, her first mother, and her second mother.
First mother: The nurturing, strong, and independent woman who raised the speaker.
Second mother: The same person but transformed into a dependent, childlike figure due to aging and illness.
Speaker: The daughter who loved and cared for both versions of her mother.

(s) Children should love and care for their mother in all stages of her life because she has given them unconditional love and deserves the same in return at her old age.

(t) Yes, the poem is deeply moving and beautifully portrays the cycle of life and the enduring bond between a mother and her child. It emphasizes love, compassion, and the importance of caring for parents as they age, making it both real and heartfelt.

(u) The poet describes her mother’s transformation as going from a strong, nurturing figure to someone fragile, dependent and childlike. This change is depicted as a “full circle” of life, where roles reverse, and the child becomes the caregiver.

(v) The title “Two Mothers Remembered” refers to the two distinct phases of her mother’s life: the strong, loving mother she once was and the dependent, childlike mother she later became. It encapsulates the poet’s love and respect for both versions of her mother.

(w) The poem shows the theme of role reversal by illustrating how the mother, once the caregiver, gradually becomes the dependent one. The daughter takes on the responsibility of caring for her mother, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and familial roles.