Saturday, January 5, 2013

AS MY MOTHER LAY DYING





"If she has a moment of clarity
I want her to know there's someone
there who loves her," my daughter said
And I was almost giddy with the truth
She spoke, could barely catch my breath
Knowing how close I'd come to letting
The tumult within block out all else
So that even my better judgement
Was way out of practise from disuse
And I was needing to get back
To listening to the voice within,
The one I needed to re-awaken
The one I'd let burn down to nothing
Just embers and ashes from a fire
That had once burned fiercely
That had once known better than to let bitter
Rule the day, and the night, as I had for too long
Could I step out, venture forth in time
To make things right; I only knew I had to try

16 comments:

  1. Any attempt to make things right is blessed in ways we have no means of knowing. I agree with Aprille, this is powerful and reminded me of my own mother's passing. Thank you,

    Elizabeth

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  2. A wonderful expression of resolve, and of the pain of losing a parent.

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  3. Such an important message in your poem for everyone!

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  4. Sharon - tight, vivid and shimmering with authenticity and exquisite language - Simply, and as others have said here, powerfully, brilliant.

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  5. The movement from beginning to end, while it speaks passion, is tightly controlled. I completely forgot this is a wordle poem. Love this line 'That had once known better than to let bitter
    Rule'

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  6. Such wisdom in this one... getting back to the voice within that is down to embers -- to rekindle that fire -- while another goes out. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the message in this piece.

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  7. This is deep and honest writing. I read it several times, and each time it settled more deeply in my spirit. Thank you for the reminder. My better judgement sees disuse, too. May your healing continue to feed your words. This is powerful, Sharon. Thank you.

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  8. Just yesterday the doctor told us my wife's mother is in the terminal phase of her life. Her moments of clarity are randomly mingled with moments of confusion and hallucination. She's always been smart, and in some ways still is. This is so painful to witness.

    It will only get worse, and there is nothing anyone can do.

    You writing is bold and powerful and I know that it speaks true.

    Peace,
    JzB

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  9. I like the hopefulness of this, even though it has that end of the phase feel. Very tender, thank you so much.

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  10. Beautifully honest, Sharon. My condolences.

    Pamela

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  11. Brilliant. Powerful. Poignant. So readable and reachable.

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    Replies
    1. Oh goodness - here I am posting another wordle and I see I didn't make it back to thank last week's commenters, even once. Thank you all so much for coming and reading about my mother's death (autobiographical, and a recurring theme, I'm afraid: she died Boxing Day and we still haven't had her memorial - next Saturday, January 19th) Your kind and insightful comments are much appreciated.

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  12. Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. You are so alive, so aware during this time, it's incredible. I wish poetry had been in my life when my mom died; the sheer outlet for emotion would have lent comfort. We are blessed that you will share the intimate story with us... love to you, Amy

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