Motherless Daughter

Revision

My sister and I find ourselves

thinking, doing, saying

as you did, even though

we swore we never would.

 

We see you

through your grandchildren,

two girls, two boys,

a couple of tweens, a teen, and

a grown man,

all missing you.

 

We had our moments

of laughing, fighting,

even stubborn silence.

You taught me to wear lipstick,

match my purse and shoes,

respect my elders,

tell the truth,

love and protect my children.

 

I still want to call and tell you

what the kids did today,  or

get the cranberry jello recipe

just in time for Thanksgiving.

In some random store,

I’ll hear Patsy Cline’s  “Crazy”

playing on the Muzak,and

smile through tears,

knowing it was your favorite.

 

It’s been three years

since your heart attack.

Overnight you were gone,

no warning,

no goodbye.

The coroner said you felt nothing.

 

No one could prepare me

for the crush in my chest,

how I forgot to breathe,

surprised I wasn’t the strong one,  

instead stunned,

sedated,

barely standing,

suddenly motherless.

Reviews

[lcotterman]

I am tearful and proud! You have written your feelings and in doing so you have helped me to heal a little more. Amazing!!