My mother forgot me somewhere
between dying and death -
long before we donned her name
to etched marble.
She called me Violet
( her mother now 20 years gone)
and Edna
( a neighbor from the Bronx)
but never again Ruth
and eventually she quit
talking altogether.
I tended to roses
and bedsores;
bathed her gardens
and paper-thin skin in water;
then prayed
they’d both winter over
another year.
I pleaded her case
to God; knelt on arthritic knees and
while Swaggart preached on tithing
I gave everything I had.
She died months before
spring thawed December's snow
and tulips peaked their heads
between the carcasses
of her Immortal Juno roses.
My mother forgot me…
perhaps God did too.
A contest entry
- Living With Alzheimers Or Dementia by CountryCousin.
1500 points, ended March 27, 2008, 20 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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Outstanding! This reminded me of what I went through when my gradnmother passed away. I am truly touched
This was very very lovely and well done
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wow... powerful wording and imagery - a beautiful and tender and heart wrenching write... I thank you for sharing it here - good luck!
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Powerful especially in its economy! Love the imagery and the honesty of your words.
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ruth..
i think this is an absolutely brilliant piece- One of the best i've read on site.. I hope you look to have this published..
the placement of thoughts nearly flawless- the wording of paper thin skin wintering over another year catches in my throat-
between the carcasses of her juno rose- wow.. amazing..
wonderful, wonderful poetry...
m
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woah that was a wow... yeah
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left me crying
Beautiful poem, these wonderful speak heartache to anyone who reads. Thank you, good luck and God bless. -
it is so sad and painful ending. hope is the only thing that will keep your spirit high.
Here is a couplet of my Ghazal "Inflame"
"Let not the grieving soul stay in the darkness of grief
Ignite the divine fire within and set your heart aflame"
you may want to read this Ghazal.
all the best - sukhdarshan
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Its amazing...yet sad
It is good work! It is a very sad poem...Is it true? Or was it just for the contest? It was horrible to read if its true . I could not imagine if my mother did this to me! -
It's never easy to watch a loved one fade away and then die. Letting go harder still. I've been there and I feel your pain but know that they ( our treasured loved ones ) live on through those they leave behind! Your poem brought tears to my heart and anytime a poem makes another feel it has served it's purpose! Well done!
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Powerfully magnificent!!
I love the poem itself. I wouldn't want it any other way!! Nice job and keep up the great work.
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Amazing poem ...
and no, I don't think God forgot you. You might want to fix this:
pring thawed Decembers snow (December's snow)
Otherwise, you've handled this very well.
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dear poet...what would I do with you?
Thanks for your comment and for always being my second set of eyes
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That was very powerful...
and made our hearts just wrench..with tears and blessings
of what a loving daughter you are...to be their present
and so loving in the most tenderest or moments, our
dying and death.
Much love and blessings I send to you, for the courage
and bravery it took to write this!
I am sure she speaks of all your blessings and care given
to a most powerful god in heaven.
ears2hearyou
Kathleen : )) good job dear poet, good job!
In her younger years, if she were to buy a plant for
you? what would it be? buy it and celebrate her love
for you, as a reminder!
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This brought me to tears.So sad and so much hurt and pain.Hope this is just a poem and not a personal experience.Know and understand the heartbreak it causes.This one really got to me.
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