Poetry Spotlight: Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford Edition
By JoAllie Paluchak
Last week, Edinboro University held the annual Pennsylvania English Conference on the third floor of the Frank G. Pogue Student Center. Amongst the various well-known writers, award winning poets and respected professors, were brave young poets from our own campus and beyond who showcased some of their pieces. The talent, ambition and drive of these students inspired me to unleash some my poetry which was influenced from the memoir, Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford.
First, some knowledge regarding the memoir: Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford is a biased memoir that depicts the life of an infamous actress of the 1930s and 40s, Joan Crawford. It is written in the point of view of her adopted daughter Christina Crawford. The memoir goes in depth about Joan Crawford’s experiences from childhood to stardom and to death. Christina discusses a lot of issues that her mother had and in return how those problems adversely affected the family. Although, there were many men in Joan’s life, there was not one consistent male figure around during her children’s childhood, partly because they were all adopted. The main plot is the rise and fall of Joan Crawford as an actress, mother and individual.
Christina’s main focus is on several distinctive horrific moments that occurred during her upbringing. Such as, memories of her mother’s late night raids of destroying her room because she was merely “inadequate” or tearing up her favorite dress because she picked at the wallpaper on the wall. Much of these incidents reflect upon Joan’s inability to mentally and emotionally care for her children. The large role that fame and Hollywood had on the family is greatly seen through Christina’s perspective of Christmases, birthdays and daily interactions with the media. The memoir is a detailed timeline expanding from Joan’s lifetime to Christina’s and even generations beyond. Although, Christina does admit to having negative and even resentful memories and feelings about her mother, she divulges that she does ultimately love her mother. Collectively, Mommie Dearest is a true testimony of forgiving others and the ability to move on from horrendous experiences in life.
Upon completion of reading the final pages, I created these poems from Christina’s perspective to effectively display some of the main themes embedded in the memoir.
Love Us
Why must we paint a smile
Why aren’t we allowed to shout with glee
Why are we confined to our mile
Mommie why might this be
Are our beds not clean enough
Are our chores not done swell
Are we playing too rough
Mommie are you even well
Where are you we scream
Do not lock our door
Do you have to be so mean
We promise to love you more
Broken Fatherhood
My mending heart of stone warms up to you
With gracious arms I welcome you
My trusting soul thought too well of you
Betrayed yet again by another one of you
Another father to be taken from me
No say, no discussion, no voice from me
How many more will slip from me
How many more lies told to me
Will any of you ever stay with me?
The Race
On a bright day I swam at age three
In a brand new suit and sun hat
From the chairs to the willow trees
I pounced ready off the mat
My trust in you quickly floated to the side
As you swam ahead thrusting me down
Your thoughts were only consumed in pride
Not of poor Christina who made but a sound
Throbbing in anger and gasping for breath
You snickered and sneered at my poor attempt
For mother you never worried about my death
Nor my needs were clearly exempt
