EUNICE TEDDY ESSIET
ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is warm, emotional, reflective, affectionate, peaceful, and appreciative. The poem creates a deep sense of admiration for motherhood, discipline, humility, and responsible parenting.
EUNICE TEDDY ESSIET
Mother of six,
A woman of forty,
A dove, a cock.
Gently she walks as if she can't kill insects.
Away she ran far, shying away from conflict.
Her head is small
Her soul is gentle.
In us is embedded her simplicity,
Some are mad anyway, and some good.
Never should it be said they weren't well-bred
Or they weren't well fed.
He who deviates knows the policy
That's my philosophy.
Anything contrary is ignorant
Something wasn't said in the first place
And so, what must be, must be.
If only it were said, then the defaulter is mad.
Trust me, her generation is scared,
She deserves to be feared.
Mother, my mother is the best of all, a good woman
But is yours the same? Is she as Tom-Tom as mine?
Do you ever see her and feel the sweet sensation?
That's how mothers should be.
She's just like that to me.
“Do you ever see her and feel the sweet sensation? That's how mothers should be.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I wrote Eunice Teddy Essiet as a praise poem dedicated to my mother and, through her, to every responsible and loving mother who has sacrificed greatly for her children. Whenever I sit down and reflect on her humility, discipline, simplicity, sacrifices, and motherly care, I honestly feel she deserves to be celebrated.
My inspiration came from observing the way she raised us with wisdom, moral discipline, and simplicity. She is not someone who loves conflict or unnecessary trouble. Her calmness, humility, and peaceful nature constantly shaped the atmosphere around us while growing up. Even though we children possess different personalities and temperaments, the values she planted in us remain visible.
Through this poem, I wanted to appreciate the strength of motherhood, the beauty of proper upbringing, and the silent sacrifices mothers make daily for their children. I also wanted readers to understand that a child’s wrong behavior does not always mean the mother failed in raising them. Human beings possess individual differences, choices, and personal decisions.
For me, this poem is more than a literary work. It is my personal appreciation and celebration of a woman whose love, discipline, and simplicity greatly influenced my life.
THEMES
The dominant theme of the poem is motherhood and parental appreciation. I use the poem to celebrate the sacrifices, discipline, humility, and emotional strength of my mother.
Another major theme is responsible upbringing. The poem emphasizes moral training, discipline, and family values.
The theme of humility strongly appears through the calm and peaceful nature of the mother being praised.
Another important theme is individual differences. Even though children may come from the same family and receive the same upbringing, their personalities and choices may still differ.
The poem also explores the theme of moral accountability. I make it clear that anyone who deviates from good behavior does so knowingly.
The theme of love and admiration equally dominates the work. The final stanza especially becomes emotionally affectionate and appreciative.
SUMMARY
I introduce my mother as a humble, peaceful, disciplined, and gentle woman who avoids conflict and lives with simplicity.
It is further explained that, although her simplicity and moral values are embedded in us as children, individual personalities still differ among us.
Emphases are drawn to any child who chooses wrongdoing after proper upbringing, that he should be held personally responsible for such behavior.
I conclude by openly praising my mother, appreciating her sweetness, care, and emotional impact on my life.
LITERARY DEVICES
Symbolism appears in: “A dove, a cock.” The dove symbolizes humility and peace while the cock symbolizes caution and avoidance of unnecessary conflict.
Imagery creates vivid pictures of a calm and humble mother walking gently and avoiding confrontation.
Metaphor appears in: “Her soul is gentle.” Gentleness becomes a symbolic quality defining her personality.
Rhetorical questions appear in: “But is yours the same?” This directly engages readers emotionally.
Repetition of “mother” strengthens emotional affection and admiration.
African proverbial expression appears in: “Her head is small”. This reflects humility and caution against conflict.
Contrast appears between calm children and more radical personalities among the siblings.
MOOD/TONE
The mood is affectionate, reflective, appreciative, emotional, calm, and respectful.
The tone is celebratory, emotional, affectionate, reflective, and deeply appreciative. I speak with admiration and gratitude toward my mother.
STRUCTURE
The poem is written in free verse with irregular stanza arrangement.
The structure flows gradually from description to reflection and finally into emotional appreciation.
The conversational and personal style strengthens emotional intimacy.
The irregular structure reflects natural emotional expression rather than strict poetic restriction.
The final stanza carries the emotional climax of the poem through direct admiration and praise.
KEY LINES EXPLAINED
“A dove, a cock.” The dove symbolizes peace and humility while the cock symbolizes carefulness and avoidance of dangerous conflict.
“Gently she walks as if she can't kill insects.” This line emphasizes her humility, peaceful nature, and calm personality.
“Her head is small” This expression originates from an African proverb suggesting someone who avoids unnecessary trouble and violence.
“In us is embedded her simplicity” Her values and upbringing remain visible within her children.
“Some are mad anyway”. This humorously acknowledges individual personality differences among the siblings.
“He who deviates knows the policy”. Anyone behaving wrongly does so despite receiving proper upbringing and moral guidance.
“She deserves to be feared.” People admire and respect the discipline and moral standards she established within her family.
“Is she as Tom Tom as mine?” The use of “Tom-Tom” symbolizes sweetness and emotional affection.
LESSONS FROM THE POEM
- Mothers deserve appreciation and celebration.
- Humility and simplicity remain valuable virtues.
- Proper upbringing is important in shaping children.
- Children still possess individual personalities and choices.
- Parents should not always be blamed for every action of their children.
- Family values strongly influence society.
Spoken Word Moment
“Never should it be said they weren't well-bred Or they weren't well fed.”
CONCLUSION
Eunice Teddy Essiet, is a warm and emotionally poignant poem celebrating motherhood, humility, discipline, and responsible parenting. Through symbolism, African proverbial expressions, emotional reflection, and affectionate admiration, I honor my mother while equally recognizing the sacrifices of good mothers everywhere.
The poem ultimately reminds readers that motherhood carries both emotional tenderness and moral responsibility, shaping generations through love, discipline, and personal sacrifice.
It stands as both a personal tribute and a universal appreciation of responsible motherhood.
READER’S CONTEMPLATION
- How often do we truly appreciate the sacrifices mothers make?
- Can society function properly without responsible motherhood?
- Should parents always be blamed for every choice their children make?
From the Desk of E. L. TEDDY
"A good mother not only gives birth to children. She shapes destinies with love, discipline, and sacrifice."
If this poem reminded you of the sacrifices and love of your mothers(Dead or Alive), we would love it if you could share with us in the comments, share this piece with others, and follow and subscribe to the blog for more emotional and thought-provoking poetry by E. L. TEDDY.
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