When my Father was diagnosed with multiple cancers all through his tired
old body he asked me to poison him. He told me to get some of those
poisonous mushrooms and mix them with sleeping pills and he do the rest.
At the hospital his last words were:
" I will always cherish the sweet taste of strawberries, and how they would
soften in the mouth like kissing a beautiful woman. I can now laugh at the way I
used to eat mangoes, dripping juice everywhere. I remember when an ordinary
egg would explode whenever I tried to cook my morning breakfast.
I can recall having a cold glass of beer with your dear Mother and how good it felt
just to make her smile.
I loved the way her soft hair moved whenever she laughed. Your Mum and me
were made for each other. We were good mates."
A tear began to form under his eye. He seemed to drift away. I don't believe he
knew I was there.
When I look back through the photograph album that has been my life I will
remember the great joy of my son hugging me and how natural it was to love him.
I can still see your sister at her wedding and the tears of joy people shed for the
happy couple. These are the memories that we will not easily farewell.
I guess if I let the shields of cynicism lay to rest for awhile I can reveal a dark
secret. I really did love life but probably didn't give it a chance. Oh don't get
me wrong, there were plenty of hardships. When your Mum died and I wasn't able
to say goodbye. "
I tried to enter the conversation because I remembered that when Mum died, Dad
locked himself away. He was like a man wondering around in the dark.
" After Mum's death, I realised my sons didn't love me. That was difficult. I guess I
wasn't much of a Dad. Still I tried my best. When I reflect on my life, taking
everything into consideration, I really did love it all."
With that he laid his head back on the long white pillow. I placed the deadly
mushrooms in a jug and added dozens of sleeping pills.
I paused for a moment and then filled the container with Vodka. The pills began to
dissolve. I pushed the jug close enough for Dad to reach. He saw what I had done
and nodded. All I could do was smile at this funny little man who gave me life.
" Thanks, son. You know we never really got to know each other, you and I. Not
properly. It wasn't that you were invisible, son, it was just that I was blind most
of the time. Still, never mind. Sometimes it's crueler to let someone in than it is to
lock them out. Not much to know anyway, except loyalty."
" Yes Dad, you're right! ", I said acceptingly.
" Goodbye, My friend."
-
Author:
David Wakeling (
Offline) - Published: February 11th, 2025 01:54
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 13
- Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Licence
Offline)
Comments6
Cancer took my mother, pancreatic, spread to her liver, and stomach, and God know where else.
I remember visiting her the day before she went into what appeared a coma.
She had about a dozen visitors in her room, she was propped in in be, smiling away, with everyone else in tears. I didn't hang around, she was doing a good job.
The next three days, nothing.
I think they were giving her 5mg of morphine, but I doubt she needed it.
I was visiting her on the third night, and she woke up. She hadn't drunk anything for three days. There was nothing there to give her, the hospital had removed everything, expecting her to die. The only thing left was an empty ornamental bucket,, that came with some flowers, flowers were gone.
She somehow got hold of this cup size bucket, and in a desperately heartbreaking moment, with both hands clutching this thing, put it to her mouth, hoping to drink.
I broke down. Then she said in a loud, husky voice, "what are you crying for son?"
I said, mum, I can't stand the thought of you starving.
She said,"Starving! I am not starving. I am full of love.
True story. Last words she spoke to me. No one can tell me there isn't a God.
Okay sounds like an amazing person your Mum.Thanks for reading
incredible ink .. I don't mind admitting this made me reflect and think so deep, I near lost myself momentarily .. and furthermore, I shed a tear and truly .. Neville
Thank you for your heart felt comments.Much appreciated
Crueler to let someone in than to lock them out. What a great line and so well timed in this poetic story. Loved it
Yes that statement turns the whole relationship idea upside down.Thanks for commenting
Oh my ... with my father-in-law it was coffee.. when his systems were shutting down he requested for coffee but he could no longer swallow so we made him a cup the way he wanted and the smell of it made his eyes sparkle... the nurse helped and we used a coffee-soaked sponge to touch his tongue with and tears began to roll down the corners of his eyes and he was smiling brightly... he passed away on the 14 of Feb, that will be 9 years to the day this year. What timing your posting has! Of all things as well, my dad's last words to me were: "I love you. Talk to you again, soon..." April 3, 2022.
Yes things happen coincidentally, and we have no idea why. Thanks for your coments
I just found this a very emotional and sad read, and made me look back. Wonderful write
Death can be sad or not it depends on the amount of suffering the patient is experiencing.Thanks for commenting
You are very welcome
Excellent write David
Thank you
You're welcome
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.