I walked out of the hospital
into a world that
no longer contained
my mother.
Same sky, dawning emptiness.
Same sidewalk, now a path
I walk alone.
So suddenly,
I am the matriarch,
and I'm not ready.
But as I sit
and write
the story of her dying,
my heart begins,
with infinite care,
to heal.
Kim sets us the BEST prompts at Poets United's Verse First. This week we are to write about a personal experience, with the view that poetry heals. In 100 words or less. Do click over to see some great responses.
Such a powerful opening line, Sherry! It brings back memories of that moment when my mother died, the finality and emptiness. Writing was a way to process life for me, too. Ten years later, when my daughter was six months old, I wrote an essay on my first Mother's Day, about my mother and it was published in the local newspaper. :)
ReplyDeleteSherry This is such a beautiful piece. As they say, 'Medicine is an interface between art and medicine...' Writing poetry is therapeutic in times of extremity. Finding the words to articulate a traumatic experience does bring relief.....Would love to write something.
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary poem! Love it!
You speak my own experience, Sherry. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Lovely, and it came straight from the heart. Just fully of care and love. Healing takes time, mostly it is a journey.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! It affirms hope of healing..
ReplyDeleteI still have goosebumps..
Thank you!
I'm there...sort of. My Dad had major heart surgery yesterday, but multiple complications.
ReplyDeleteHealing up...
Sherry this is so heartfelt. It reminds of my own experience,taking my dad to the hospital and leaving without him. Beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we are not ready but her words, her life, our mothers do inspire us ~ Touching write Sherry ~
ReplyDeleteYou see, you walked out, walked alone, but sat with her . . .
ReplyDeleteWith infinite care, yes this is how we heal! Good write.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love the way you place us in a personal moment in time and then stretch us across a whole universe So many tutus in such few, yet powerful words. The way it looks on the page fits the subject matter, sparse, empty, and a feeling of loss, yet hope. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is to say , truths, tutus is something else altogether! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the part about not being ready for your new role in life. Very strong and meaningful. I can definitely hear the healing of poetry within your poem.
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteThis is a role and a path which we all must walk, at some sad point. Sad, but usually a relief for the dearly departed, loved one.
Not easy to face that challenge in life, but at least we do so, knowing that it is a time shared by everyone, eventually. Offering a hand of support, might well be reciprocated in later times:)
Best wishes Sherry, hope that spring is with you. A better outlook here at last!!
I have been on holiday to Northern Ireland last week. Back to normal gradually...
Eileen:)
So many different hats we wear in life whether we think we are ready or not. The image of you someone walking out of the hospital back into the world, only this time alone, filled me with sadness. I'm glad your writing helps with the healing process.
ReplyDeleteI do remember as well when my mother died realizing I was the older generation. I doubt anyone is ready when this is realized. A sobering thought indeed. It changes life forever.
ReplyDeletelovely very succinct about a grief so profound. The vacuum remains but life moves on.
ReplyDeleteWriting is truly therapeutic. I write often about my dear father as his death affected me hugely. Writing helps me heal. Very nicely written and glad you found a way to deal with your grief.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and very touching. Writing has helped me through the tragedies and traumas of my own life.
ReplyDeleteWriting is such a wonderful way to let go of pain. This is very heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteThis is therapy-fragile and touching in its form!~ Yes, words embrace us and offer us hope flying out of our gray skies onto the page~
ReplyDelete"And I'm not ready"...oh yes, such powerful words. Your poem is beautiful. I agree that writing poetry can heal so many things.
ReplyDeletea warm hug for you ... yes writing is a therapy.
ReplyDeleteI just went through this with my Dad passing away. There have been a lot of Dad poems, since. It's a good way to start that healing.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful... I have been there too.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed.
ReplyDeleteI love it when you write with brevity, Sherry. Every word carries meaning. Every nuance touches. And the experience you relate is one most of us will experience, but each of us feels so uniquely. Yours touches the heart, mind, soul. Lovely!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/05/10/wounded/
there's beauty as the mother's story becomes the daughter's
ReplyDeletethanks for the honesty