Nancy Edwards’ Beloved Mother
story by Portia Choi
Nancy Edwards’ mother is remembered today on Mother’s Day.
She often spoke of her mother’s Southern background, her gentility and graciousness. It was during our lunches while planning poetry events that Nancy spoke of her mother.
Nancy Edwards, Ph.D., was a Professor of English at B.C. from 1968-2009. She was a well-known poet in Kern County. She was a vital and integral organizer of poetry events.
I knew that Nancy was fond of music. She had collaborated with Howard Quilling, the former Professor of Music at Bakersfield College (B.C.) She provided the poetry which inspired him to compose his music.
At the memorial celebration for Nancy, John Gerhold sang the compositions of Quilling and Edwards. Gerhold is the Chair of the Performing Arts Department at B.C. and the chairperson of Fenlinson Endowment Committee. Gerhold said, “Nancy’s mother was a music teacher. Nancy made a scholarship honoring her mother. Nancy was a generous person, and helped students and future generataions. Many of the students went on to be music teachers.” The scholarship is named Frances Edwards Music Scholarship.
Nancy also collaborated with Rosa Garza, a Professor of Social Studies at B.C. They published a chapbook, Beloved Mother, Querida Madre. In the book Nancy wrote the poem “Beloved Mother” and Rosa translated the poem into Spanish. At the memorial service, Rosa recited the Spanish translation. Sheena Bhogal, a professor of English at B.C. recited the poem in English.
Beloved Mother
By Nancy Edwards
In the webbed flesh of your
Inside elbow
In these layers of tender skin
I am born once more
When you hold me,
Beloved Mother
When you hold me
I want to return
To the perfume of
Your vanity table
And douse myself
In Mother’s love powder
Cake flour fine
Only mother has it
I am in the webbed flesh of your
Inside elbow Mother,
You are my cradle,
My beloved mother,
I live in the fragrance
Of your loose powder
And flower perfume
You are always
The place inside
You hold me forever
In the stream of my birth
When I am in your arms
You are my beloved Mother.
Querida Madre (Beloved Mother)
Translated by Rosa Garza
En la tela de tu codo
En esas capas de tierna piel
He nacido otra vez
Cuando me acaricias otra vez
Querida Madre
Cuando me acaricias
Quiero volver
Al perfume de
Tu tocador
Y ponerme polvo
Polvo de amor materno
Harina fina
Que solo la madre tiene
Estoy en la tela de tu codo
Tu eres mi cuna
Mi querida madre
Vivo en el polvo
Y perfume de flor
Siempre eres
El Lugar adentro
Donde me abrazas para siempre
En la corriente de mi nacer
Cuando estoy en tus brazos
Tue eres mi querida madre
Source: Beloved Mothers Queridas Madres, BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE, 1992