I sat beside my mother's bed as she lay dying. Our eyes met: all the words we could not say. All the missed connections, missed perceptions: in our lifetime, it had always been that way. I released the ways we never got it right; forgave, no need to hold the anger tight. Just "I love you", and her spirit flew away, out of the room, into the starry night.
Weeks later, I was driving towards her home when, in slow motion, across my windshield flew a grey owl, feathered being, infinitely wise, as she passed me, looking deep into my eyes. Time was suspended, on this point of traveling. Somehow I felt a message had been received and, somewhere in my spirit sore, unraveling, I knew all was understood, and I believed. "Owl, swooping sideways into the forest green, bird between two worlds, all that we know and the unseen, wise watcher in the night, friend of the moon, fly after she who left my world too soon."
Fly, messenger of
my tardy transformation
into winter's sky.
Adapted from a very old poem for Victoria's prompt at dVerse : to write a nonfiction haibun that includes an owl.
I liked the idea of "tardy transformation" and the message from the owl after your mother's death.
ReplyDeleteA very powerful moment in the stillness of time. Lovely haiku.
ReplyDeleteThis fits very well with the owl as a messenger between worlds story Sherry ~ Sadly, there are things or words we could have or not have said to our parents ~ My father died unexpectedly so there are words left unsaid ~ Thanks for sharing ~
ReplyDeleteSherry, this left me with chills and "inside" tears. So easy to have regrets, but I do believe our spirits know how to communicate between dimensions. I have had a number of these experiences--my own and those of hospice families and patients. There is so much we don't know.
ReplyDeleteWe have to let them go like that. And it is so hard, but otherwise we have to carry them around like that.
ReplyDeletePretty cool the visit from the owl - especially that last line...to chase her on.
A very heartfelt write Sherry.
"I released the ways we never got it right" ... Wow. I love that. Also the quoted section at the end.
ReplyDeleteI read your comment somewhere, saying that in that moment, you felt that the owl was your mom. That was so beautiful.
A sad yet intimate thought, and in the end only sweet memories give us hope.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I do believe the owl carried a message to you and you indeed felt her.
ReplyDeleteSome souls will no be denied their saying. Thank goodness for the open eyes and hearts willing to receive the message.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet story. The sadness of those missed opportunities with those who could have been the closest.
ReplyDelete"looking deep into my eyes. " This is such a goosebumps-y line! Yes, message was given and received between soul to soul. Exquisite.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write. Hope peace has come to stay.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. We are kindred souls...I had a similar relationship with my mother and believe I was privileged to be at her side when she died. Whatever else, she brought me into this world and I do believe, did the best she could. So I felt it right, to be there when she left this world. Thank you for this beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful write! Dear Sherry, you are blessed. I think maybe we will never get over the death of our Mother's, but it is as it should be, no questions asked.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very lovely, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful haibun... and it really touched me, to have that messenger in the form of an owl makes me almost believe in a life after death.
ReplyDeleteThis one resonates on so many levels, thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
This is wonderful. I love the encounter with the owl and the thought that it might be a message from your mom. It's a mysterious world. And we don't know everything. Love this haibun.
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