3:15 Experiment Poetry: August 1, 2010–a poem for my mother

August 1, 2010 3:15am
a poem for my mother

Unexpected and sudden.
That’s how I describe how
my mom died last night
Friday night July 30.

Now it is
the middle of
the night
& barely morning

and I am
wide awake
with my loss.

Usually this time of year
I am composing a
birthday card for her–
73 this year.

Instead I brought her present
to her empty house
to her empty house
filled with her family.

My mom loved
nasturtiums
deep reds & oranges especially
she marveled at the variety & color
did you see that one
she’d say
oh that’s scrumptious.

That was the color
of her front door
of her garage door
the greens of a
avocado inside and out
flesh and bones.

She lived in the
converted garage
of her parents house
even after they died
she preferred that
over their bedrooms
which she rented out to make
ends meet.

There is too much to say
and all of it inadequate

So I am trying to tell you
about the birthday present
I couldn’t give her:

The woven bedspread
the color of nasturtiums
my sister & I
laid on her empty bed
yesterday

It was perfect
she would have loved it

and it makes her bed
seem less empty

by Gwendolyn Alley

This poem is dedicated to my mother Suzanne Lawrence who passed away Friday, July 30, 2010.

Since Nov. 2007, I have publish poetry most Mondays, mostly my own but sometimes by others. For poetry by other bloggers, check out the Poetry Train.

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