PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Yesterday I saw an old photo of a young girl:

A shy pose in a doorway, a reluctant half smile

A life so before mine, I wondered who you were then

as I ran a finger lightly over the yellowing film

Before that life had pulled and stretched you into a woman

And then a mother. You caried me in you for nine months

One flesh, becoming two, and I of yours for this life

And you said it: the umbilcal chord is never truly severed

Oh mom, there was nothing truer that you could’ve uttered



Even though now it feels as though the moon will never again

turn it’s silvery face towards mine and bare trees will grasp sadly at me

wherever I walk. And what of the sunflowers? I can’t help but my heart to hurt

To see them bowing their heads ever since your sun dimmed

But no, not really dimmed, when I trust my thoughts will always be

Of you walking into the Light. And little memories of your old blue Fiat

waiting at the school gates. Walking together in Claremont’s Arden Gardens,

waiting for my new glasses Maybe it took me a while to realize you were human too

I knew you, mom – nothing could ever make me unknow you. Me, Your witness, your alibi

and in it our goodbyes are no less temporary than this life itself. And no less meaningful for the rift we saw to patch up. Your words said with relief only a mother could feel “I’m just glad I have my boy back!”

I am your boy for always.

So mom, just a small request as I say this sort of wordy goodbye:

once in a while, if you can, just send me a feather on my path to let me know you’re OK.