什麼意思？ - By Rosie Lee

Written By: Rosie Lee

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Rosie Lee, writing under the name 什麼意思？, presents a deeply introspective poem titled "什麼意思？" for the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. The poem captures the tender relationship between a child and their mother, exploring unspoken love and the small, meaningful gestures that define it. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Rosie Lee invites readers to reflect on the nuances of familial bonds.

About the Work

"什麼意思？" weaves a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. The poem delves into the innocence and curiosity of childhood, juxtaposed with the silent, enduring love of a mother. Through poignant questions and vivid imagery, Rosie Lee captures the essence of maternal care and the unspoken language of love. The work leaves readers contemplating the silent sacrifices and unacknowledged strength inherent in motherhood.

什麼意思？

Original Submission by Rosie Lee

什麼意思？

by Rosie Lee

Mama, Mama, why do you laugh when I spill my juice?

I can recall, once upon a memory,

A picnic out in the bustling park.

You’d forgotten to bring two bowls of food.

You said you weren’t hungry, but your eyes followed the rice.

I’m not hungry when I watch you eat,

I’d laugh and shake my head, she’s so silly!

And not understand what you really meant.

Sometimes you tell me that you love me,

Other times, you say, you’ll just know.

But Mama, Mama, I don’t get it,

How do I know it if you don’t tell me?

She’d always smile, without a word.

Oh, Mama, Mama,

What do you mean you like pizza crusts

or leftover veggies I picked off the plate?

What do you mean it doesn’t hurt when you scrub

even when your fingertips turn red?

I just don’t understand.

Mama, Mama, why do you think my laugh tastes like sunshine?

There was another time, years ago,

I tripped up the stairs (yes, I’m talented so),

And scraped my knee, bad—blood, bruises, tons of tears,

Though with Mama right here, there’s nothing to fear.

You flinch at the very sight of red,

But you barely scrunched your nose when that scrape bled,

Patting my leg and whispering reassurances,

It’s okay, baby, you will be fine.

How, Mama, How? I would wail and cry,

什麼意思, Mama, I will be fine?

And many times, I’d fall sick, you’d tend to me,

Staying up late and watching me sleep,

Tuck my blankets when you see my small shivers,

Never, in my life, has my mother wavered.

Mama, Mama, why do you sit alone in the dark?

But now I know:

什麼意思? isn’t just what you say you mean,

It’s also what you don’t say that you mean.

She loves with the peeled apples packed in lunches I never ate.

She loves with the after-storm messes that she cleans and sweeps away.

She loves with the umbrella over my head as rain hurls its pelting tears.

Her courage is my sword that I wield with utmost pride,

An inherited bravery that runs through my very veins.

Her patience is my shield that protects my every side,

That protects me from the crashing thunder.

Her love is my being that I am made out of,

The skin, bones, eyes, and honor she gives me.

Now I see it in the wrinkles of her smile,

in the way she saves the last bites for me,

not letting me go hungry, in any world, any life.

Now I see it in the way she takes me to school,

a chore that she’s all too willing to do,

braving my half-awake demands.

Mama, Mama, now I see,

Love is spoken without words,

Hidden in the little things,

In the quiet acts and the hands that lift me when I fall,

In the gentle whispers and embrace that hold me so tall.

In everything Mama is, and all.

什麼意思?

is a love that can be answered in silence,

Because

deep,

deep,

deep,

down,

I already know.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the creativity and talent of writers worldwide. The competition provides a platform for poets, storytellers, and essayists to share their unique voices and stories with a global audience, fostering a community of literary expression and appreciation.

We extend our gratitude to Rosie Lee for sharing her touching poem, "什麼意思？", with us. Her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the tapestry of voices exploring the profound theme of maternal love. Thank you, Rosie, for your heartfelt expression and for reminding us of the unspoken bonds that shape our lives.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.