Au-Revoir Dearest Mummy

Something’s in life will always haunt us but sharing lessens the burden

AU-REVOIR DEAREST MUMMY

Hi Mom,
Please switch your computer on,
Wherever you are,
Perhaps you are that
Brilliant star,
That I see every night,
That shines so bright,
What I have to say,
Will not take all day,
But its time I
Recorded on email
A chapter that I’ve ignored
Of my life,
When you were still alive!
I always did cherish,
Our moments together,
I hope you did too,
For I’ve always loved you, 
And my secret hope
From a little girl, was 
You would never perish!
We were best friends,
It was so wholesome
But after dad died,
And you cried and cried,
You changed,
You were so lonesome,
But you became
A patriarch,
Not a matriarch
As you always had been,
But a bully,
Which truly
Made me very sad,  
As I also missed dad!
Unfortunately we
Began to lose touch,
Although I always
Loved you, very much.
For one complete year
I felt so guilty,
For it was so silly,
That it all came to this,
I was unhappy and
One miserable day,
Gave you a hug and a kiss,
Immediately I felt better!
But you got sick
Shortly thereafter,
With dementia,
Every day was 
Heart-rending venture!
You became bed-ridden,
But something in
Your lovable confused
Mind lay hidden,
For you always
Recognised me,
And held my hand,
As you lay dying,
And I was left crying!
All I want you to know
Is that I always have
And will always,
Love you so!
Au-revoir dearest Mummy!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

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Romios Avatar
February 22, 2019 at 7:02 AM
Hi Jennifer. A beautiful piece! That touches so many hearts. Mothers can pass suddenly or not so suddenly. I am grateful it was not sudden. I got to be her caregiver for ten years. What a great gift to me. Panagiota Romios
Proxenos Avatar
February 23, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Hi dear friend, My mother deteriorated after she broke her hip at 83 years of age and died when she was 86. My husband was a tower of strength during this period and she loved him very much. Glad that you experienced the gift of looking after her. Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
 Avatar
November 30, 2018 at 7:44 AM
Very, very sad Jenny but at least your Mom always recognised you. Dimentia is a horrible disease (my Aunt has it and she lives in two worlds). Thank you for sharing such a touching poem. Kim
Proxenos Avatar
November 30, 2018 at 1:27 PM
Hi Kim, It was heartbreaking watching her deteriorate from day to day, one of the saddest periods of my life. Thank-you for your understanding! xoxo, Jennifer
Dietrich Avatar
November 29, 2018 at 5:56 PM
how very very sad that she faded away with that dread disease and never her old self again. I am sorry for you about that. my stepdad died of it too. I have heard that one way to fight it is with a really good diet, also to include turmeric , curry, dandelion, things like that.
Proxenos Avatar
November 30, 2018 at 2:55 AM
Hi Andrea, They say health eating is the cure for most illness, but our GP who was health fanatic and ran the comrades every year died at the age of 49 from a sudden heart attack. I sometimes think that getting seriously sick is just the roll of the dice. I'm sorry about your step dad. But I agree eating health should be what we all ought to be doing. Our two boys (young men), and their wife/fiancee are health fanatics. thank-you for your comment Andrea - keep well. xoxo, Jennifer.
Wolf Avatar
November 28, 2018 at 2:12 PM
I can't stop crying, Jen. I really can't. This is SO moving... Leave me cry now...
Proxenos Avatar
November 29, 2018 at 1:52 AM
Hi Gershon, O what a wonderful human being you must be! I enjoy heartfelt comments! Thank-you Gershon, Best wishes always, Jennifer
Warrior Avatar
November 28, 2018 at 11:40 AM
So sad to see them leave this Earth...we just had my Mom's one-year anniversary Oct.24.2018 of her passing...my dad is still with us...but is not the same without her...great write my friend...love & light...^WW^
Proxenos Avatar
November 29, 2018 at 1:57 AM
Hi Winged Warrior, my heartfelt condolences! Us greeks also have a year anniversary as well as a 6 week one soon after their death. It is sad to watch them leave this earth, and i can imagine your dad is like a lost soul without your mom now. Thank you Winged Warrior for your heartfelt comment Kindest regards and wishes, Jennifer.
Riabi Dziri Avatar
November 27, 2018 at 4:19 AM
"AU-REVOIR DEAREST MUMMY", I bade that aching farewell a long time ago to my mum. and still alive the pain! Your emotive and shaking words for your loving Mummy unleashed the hidden tears, that silent love, the unrevealed longing and the piercing guilt. Your genuine sweet memories unsealed my very wounds and your precious poetic words healed them. I identify with you Jennifer, our treasured mummies ceased to be but still in our worlds and words.. Great work of art and heart! A FAV. Love and hugs
Proxenos Avatar
November 27, 2018 at 8:27 AM
H Besma, How are you dear friend? Love for a mother is such a natural love, that one doesn't stop to think how much you love her, you just know that you do! Yes there was a wound I had to heal, but by engaging the attention of my friends within the Poetry Soup group, I already feel much better, more than have in years. My mother died 4 years ago. Thank-you dear Besma for your caring comment. My other poetess friend Cay Cay always says Poetry Hugs, I'm borrowing this today. xoxo, Jennifer.
Callus Avatar
November 27, 2018 at 2:58 AM
This is very heartfelt and emotional, Jennifer. In reality your mother was always the same, except that your dad's passing away broke her heart and finally her mind, too. She is in a better place than we are. Hope you feel happier now that you opened your heart out to her! Warm regards // paul
Proxenos Avatar
November 27, 2018 at 3:31 AM
Thank you for a warm and caring comment Paul. I have a great deal of faith but am afraid of death, so not sure where we go after we die. I even took my Honours degree in the spirituality of the New Testament and I am still none the wiser. Yes, I am happier now that I have shared this poem with poetry soup members as I have made many new and wonderful friends, you been one of them Paul. Somehow it is difficult to speak to some family members about it. My husband was glad I decided to post this poem. Warm regards, Jennifer
Leffanta Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 11:12 PM
"Thank you" should be more common than "RIP", don't you think? Aloha! Rico
Proxenos Avatar
November 27, 2018 at 12:07 AM
I have never liked the "RIP" I feel it is a cold overused quote. I agree with you Rico, Thank-you says it all! I hope my mother finally knows how much I loved her even during the one year we were not talking. Life is so transitory, we must enjoy what we all have left! thank-you for your comment. Yasou Rico.
Devonshire Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 10:53 PM
Jennifer, it's good you were able to make amends just before she became ill. Grief and loss do change people and it must have been hard for you to see your mother in that "patriarch" role. Had to shed a couple tears reading this as I miss my Mom too. Bless you for sharing this. Hugs, Carolyn
Proxenos Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 11:03 PM
Thank-you Carolyn, I was carrying this burden around with me for the past 6 years, it was time to let it go and to tell my mom how I felt - I hope she knows now Bless you for a loving comment. xoxo, Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 9:35 PM
Hello Jennifer … very sad for me the reader to read this, as it will be for others, because so many can relate to your poem. It's a beautiful tribute for your Mum from you - thank you Jennifer - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Hi Lindsay, it was a hard poem for me to write, but I had this overwhelming need to do so. Thank-you for understanding and your kind words, I am sure she is at peace now. So long Lindsay, speak to you soon. Best wishes, Jennifer.
Krutsinger Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 4:07 PM
There is nothing more to say, your pain and your love painted a glorious picture into my mind, and my heart, Jennifer.
Proxenos Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 11:09 PM
Thank-you Caren, I think I will be more at peace after finally writing this poem, and hope with all my heart that my mom will also. She was bedridden when she died in great agony with massive bedsores, though we had a nurse coming in every day to tend to them, Happy it touched your heart! xoxo, Jennifer
Gauthier Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 2:53 PM
Lovely lovely lovely, dear Jennifer. A beauty.
Proxenos Avatar
November 26, 2018 at 11:51 PM
Hello Line, Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you from the bottom of my heart! Your kind words settle my restless soul! Best wishes, Jennifer
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