How, Mother, do I begin
to thank you for your love?
It would surely be an easier task
if you had only given me the world.
And if I must lose you,
then how do I begin to say goodbye?
I don't want to let you go.
I don't even want to admit
that it's possible to lose you.
But it is. I must accept that.
I will not help you
by denying the truth.
So I will love you
with every wisp of my existence,
the existence you gave me,
until the final moment.
Death sweeps through everyone's life
like an uncaring wind.
No one goes through this world
without meeting him.
I know I'm no different
in wishing I had more time with you.
So, since I cannot fight Death,
I will say this to him.
Death, you can take her body;
It's only a vehicle.
But you will never take my memories
of her smile, her touch, her voice;
The stories at bedtime;
The countless, unnoticed acts of heroism
required to raise a child.
The spirit that fills this house.
The heart that has touched, forever,
all who have known her.
Death, I see now,
now that you are so close,
that you're not strong at all.
All you take is flesh and bone.
Everything that matters, stays,
forever.
And if you end her pain
but still leave me with so much of her,
well, then you must be a friend, too.
So I will not fear you or hate you.
I will accept you.
I will love her as I always have,
until the very end,
then trust you to take her
to a better place,
a place with no more pain;
a place where I can hold her again
and never let her go.
- Mark Rickerby
Author notes
I'm sorry this is happening to you, SSK. I hope my poem helps a little.
Peace,
Mark
Written January 29th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- Poems for my mom who is dying of cancer by SweetSecretKiss.
300 points, ended February 4, 2004, 42 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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This was wonderful. I actually got to tell my Mom goodbye but she couldn't do it back. I was actually able to read this and not cry, yesterday if I had read it I would have been over the edge. Spent the day missin her. Again, wonderful job! Hugs and bites, Lady Raven
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Oh wow, i just realized that you were in the same contest that i was in...i have no idea how i beat you in the contest...I won that contest...Wow, i did not think that my poem was that good...
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this is another wonderful poem, it makes me think of my mother...I never thought that i would beable to breath without my mom...it has been very hard with out her in my life...But it has been two very long and hard years since God called her home...I do miss her, but i know she will be ther waiting when it is my turn to walk that golden mile...anyway..thanks for the poem, I love being reminded of my mom and the love she placed in my heart and in my life...
God bless you Mark.
Tammy
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womdreful and moving
Absolutely beautiful poem. I feel the same way- there's nothing greater thatn a mom and nothign worst that losing her. -
i cried reading your poem its great!theres nothing like a mothers loveand a child that loves her just as much! great poem
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wonderful
Forgot to applaud it. -
This is so amazingly beautiful. I agree with my mom that I kind of feel selfish for holding so tightly to Scott. SSK, it's true that there are no words that can take away all of the pain, but I do hope that the kind poem above will help to ease your pain if only just a little. Mark, good luck in the contest.
~Amanda~ -
Wow, this one made me cry. I can't imagine what SSK must be going through. I hold my own mother so dearly. I loved the way you described her body as a vehical - and no matter what Death could never take her memories. Wonderfully done Dad. You never cease to amaze me!
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YOU MUST READ THIS
Oh Mark,
Wow, that is so beautiful...made me feel so selfish. What a lovely poem, a great tribute to an obviously much-loved mother. I'm so sorry for SweetSecretKiss.
SSK, there are no words that will take the pain away, but hopefully, the kind above will help ease it, even if just a little. ((Hugs))
Kerry
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i feel for you as i am in a similar position ...its a beautiful heartfelt poem and its very comforting to read about memories and always having them no matter what andthen the ending is so beautiful and lovely.xxxxxx
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