the woman who no longer
had a dog
sat inconspicuously on the stairs
of her own home
waiting for something that
happened a long time ago
whispering and moving
not knowing she was alone
somewhere down the street
a lonesome dog did bark
and cut through the trees
a sorrowful wind did wail
wondering
can a life be full
without sorrows
a long life so rich and loving
is now a heartbreaking tale
she is the goddess of twilight
the dusk is in sight
and it will not be late
feelings of impossible love and
wishing my hands were strong
enough to change her fate
how are you she asks
though she doesn't know your name
you tell her all about your life
and what's most important to you
how are you she asks , again
and again
she'll tell you all about her day
going to church lighting
candles saying a prayer
shopping with her Mom
getting ready to make dinner
not knowing she has never once
left her wheelchair
I look at her and
without a doubt I see
the courage she still carries
in a conspiracy of silence
in the raindrops that
now drip from the cherries
her eyes they are as
keen as they ever were
is your Mother still
alive she asks
I smile and say yes
and that I love her
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Comments9
It can be so hard but you have shared her very well with us all on here. I do hope that peace abounds in both you and your mother.
Stunning artwork.
Thank you , this was one of my Mothers favorite paintings so I incorporated it into the poem for her . The end is near for her , while it is hard I have made peace with it
So beautifully written I got the chills and I almost cried. My mother is gone. You are so courageous in this fight! Like Goldfinch I hope that you and your mother find peace.
Thank Christina this poem kind of covers the last few years from when she was home till now in hospice , sorry you lost your Mom , natural part of life I know but still
Beautiful poem. A tribute to your dear mother. Wishing you strength to deal with this illness. My mother died at age 85 and her head was perfect but she had really bad osteoporosis.
Thank you Malu, sorry about your Mom . My Mom is 92 she's had a good life even the last few years have been rich in a way , but her time is near ....
I am deeply moved by your writing and my eyes were wet.
Thanks M&M there couldn't be a better comment
Very moving Bill - so well expressed.
Thanks Michael my Moms an easy person to write about
WL, this is one of the most beautifully written poems I ever read about a loved one with Alzheimers.
My mom had a big stroke and dementia before she passed away. And this poem reminded me so much of these last years. There was sadness and sorrow, but there was also joy and happiness during the few lucid moments she had. Thank you!
Yes Fred you understand perfectly, when you live with this you know . Thanks for the supportive comment
You know, one day my mom told me that she got married again, but couldn't remember to whom! We both had a big laugh. Never forget that moment, it was magic.
Very heartfelt WL. My adoptive mother passed from Alzheimer's disease and she too would ask the same questions every 5 minutes. It's not an easy thing to watch your parent slowly lose touch with reality. Have you seen the movie "Still Alice" with Julianne Moore? In it she is younger and it's hard to watch. But I had to watch it. My mother was 80, so many of the things she couldn't remember didn't matter much to her. I realized how fortunate she was to not get the disease until later in life. I wish you and your mom peace and love in her remaining time here with you.
Thanks for sharing that AP I have not seen that movie but now I will watch for it ...and thanks for the supportive words , very nice
This was very touching! Thanks for sharing this poem with us! Always happy to read one of your poems friend!
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