Time for Poetics in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ Bjorn is hosting and requests our poems reflect a journey we've taken ~ how it impacted us
Within these words her spirit thrives
a love that time indeed survives
I retrace the countless steps
the overwhelming need
to remember our long dance
~ to reflect, to feel, to see ~
the journey long through shadowed halls
where memories dim, where silence calls
where I held her in the crook of my arm
solo witness as life force ebbed
shallow breaths, tiny sips of air
in a deep sleep, the time had come
I spoke softly, trusting she might hear
find comfort in my voice
one tear escaped the corner of her eye
instinctively I touched it, lifted it to my face
blended it with my own
~ our journey ended ~
Mom, this touches my heart so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAn oh so moving moment.
ReplyDeleteMy mom, too, shed a tear with her last breath. Maybe it's common but it also feels quite poetic. Lovely write Helen 👏
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful moment and relationship captured in your words - so very tender and real - Jae
ReplyDeleteTears brimming from my eyes this morning after reading this. I was "gifted" (and I truly mean that) to stand beside my mother as she lie in a hospital bed taking her last breaths. She brought me in to this world, and I was able to be with her when she left this world. All the memories of those moments are flooding back to me after reading your beautiful poem. For me, at the end, I was holding her hand, leaning down, whispering in her ear, "Do you see daddy, mom? Chuckie? I'm sure there's a light there. They'll be so glad to see you. It's okay mom. Thank you. Thank you for everything." and she was gone. (Chuckie was my brother, 9 nears older than me. He died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 51). Thank you for this poem, Helen. Beautifully writ.
ReplyDeleteThis is so touching and it is the end that every journey brings, may it be as tender as this for as many as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful heartfelt poem, Helen. The most difficult journey we take seems to be our last one! You have shared this is such a touching and tender way! I too had to pause and reflect after reading this one! Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen, for sharing your mother's journey and especially those special, sacred final moments...a treasure!
ReplyDeleteYou write about a journey particular to you and your mother but you define it for all of us who have been there to let a loved one go - beautifully put, Helen...
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this touched and moved my heart, Helen. It's interesting to be the one held as our mother's bring us into the world, and to be the one holding as they leave ours--sacred, I think.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it was so good to see you at dVerse LIVE this morning. Learning about your journey with your mom makes the poem that much more meaningful. Being there with your mom at the end, and taking care of her for 5 years before says a lot about who you are as a human being.
ReplyDeletePoetry Postcard Group I was talking about. Barbara is the lady and her email addresss is rosablue722@gmail.com You can tell her I referred you to her if you decide to participate.
ReplyDeletetSo very moving, Helen. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing this journey, 💙 None of us could be with my mom when she died, since everywhere was locked down, and it still troubles me. My sisters and I were with my dad though.
ReplyDeleteThe tenderest of journeys, the last one, and oh, so precious to share! I didn't have that chance with my mother but I can imagine through your words.
ReplyDeleteSo touching, so tender and so beautiful, Helen. This moved me to tears. ❤️
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