Kim Rodrigues Poet Free verse

Five Year Anniversary of My Mom’s Passing

Heavy backpack
on sure pavement.
Travel purse, crisscrossing 
my sternum.

Following faithfully behind,
or nearby,
my spouse’s steady pace;
so excited.
We are in Frankfurt;
soon we’ll be inside the museum.

This was a side trip.
We saw that we would be clanging through.
The train would stop,
as all trains do,
at certain spots.

So excited!
What wonderful artwork will be
inside?!

Suddenly
I fly -
splat…
There was a trap;
An upturned frown.

I hit the ground
hard.
Zipped up, in my bubble jacket,
hood up,
in shock.

I will fast forward -
we see first
the “Good Samaritan.”

I’m on the ground,
in pain and panic.
A faceless man,
along with my man,
helps me up.

I never saw his face.
He hardly saw mine.
I’ll never forget his care;
sounds simple I know.

The only injury was to my ribs.
My purse stabbed me
with sunglasses, cellphone and small journal.

Could have saved me from worse disaster…
Though I hit the thumb side of my fist
and my knee, neither bothered me.

I could breathe.
No outside bruise.
No need for emergency room.

Just static…you know.
It gets better every day; 
and I have a story to tell
about
how I am thankful.

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Dorothy Gibbons May 4, 2026 at 7:50 AM Loved this kim so well written could sense the grief the ache that dosnt go away my mums been gone 11 yrs in Oct we always remember. But hey I thought as I read this the stranger that came to your aid could been an angel. Hugs <3

Victor Buhagiar May 4, 2026 at 1:40 AM Grief for a mother eases but never go away. I lost min 22 years a ago. My prayers for you. Kim Rodrigues May 4, 2026 at 3:08 AM Thank you, Victor <3

sara Etgen-Baker May 3, 2026 at 5:20 PM I felt your grief entwined in your poem. It's hard to lose one's mom. Mine passed 20 years ago and not a day goes by that I still grieve her in small doses. Kim Rodrigues May 4, 2026 at 3:09 AM Thank you, Sara <3

Andrea Dietrich May 2, 2026 at 12:08 PM I enjoyed your story and in the background of it, I sense your grief over your mother's passing that still remains. Sorry for your loss, Kim. Kim Rodrigues May 2, 2026 at 2:02 PM We always know the day. Thanks, Andrea! Hugs

Yann Rolland May 1, 2026 at 2:58 PM so touching poem, i feel breathless, my mother passed away the same year, wishes Kim Rodrigues May 2, 2026 at 4:27 AM So sorry for your loss. I usually reach out to my Dad on the anniversary of Mom’s passing, but it wasn’t possible. Hugs

Joseph P. DiMino May 1, 2026 at 6:18 AM Indeed, if not for the grace of God...I take credit for nothing other than trying to do good, right. Survival I have little to do with. Such a lovely poem. Blessings. Kim Rodrigues May 1, 2026 at 9:49 AM Thank you, Joe!

Paige Hind April 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM "The train would stop, as all trains do, at certain spots." very deep comparison to mingle with "I’m on the ground, in pain and panic. A faceless man, along with my man, helps me up." ....memory etched all over, body and spirit- but you don't forsake it, you keep the story even with no outside bruise- find care with which to be thankful, even in the dark- beautiful, dear Kim <3 Kim Rodrigues May 1, 2026 at 5:07 AM Thank you for your lovely comment, Paige! You are always appreciated!

Jan Allison April 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM so glad there was a good samaritan looking after you.my mum passed in 2022, the precious memories always remain. hugs Jan xx Kim Rodrigues April 30, 2026 at 5:20 PM Yes, they do. Sorry for your loss, Jan. Hugs

Paula Goldsmith April 30, 2026 at 11:57 AM I enjoyed reading your very powerful write. Glad you are OK. Yes, there still some nice/helpful people in the word. We need to be thankful daily but most are not. Great Ending... Have a great day writing away............. Kim Rodrigues April 30, 2026 at 12:47 PM Thank you, sweet lady!

Daniel Henry Rodgers April 30, 2026 at 9:37 AM Dear Kim, I loved reading your poem and your good Samaritan encounter and wish we had more of them in the world. My dear mom, passed away a year ago this exact time. God Bless You, and I loved your poetic story today. Blessings, Daniel Kim Rodrigues April 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM So sorry for your loss, my friend. May God bless you and give you comfort.

I Am Anaya April 30, 2026 at 7:35 AM And what a story, well told. Poor you, ribs are delicate, hope there was something for the pain?Even though husband a buffer, hikes we're on our own. Good Samaritan & mom's spirit , great poetry! I'm lucky to still have mine...Recovery blessings Kim Rodrigues April 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM Bless you, sweet friend. <3

Tom Cunningham April 30, 2026 at 4:53 AM Thank God you were okay Kim, accidents can happen anywhere, its nice to know there are some good people about. A shame it happened on your mom's anniversary though. Tom Kim Rodrigues April 30, 2026 at 12:51 PM Thank you, Tom. Then, I get home. My Dad finally dealt with mom’s phone but then instead of his thread of texts, they are mom’s with the last one I sent. Seemed strange. Dad’s thread was so cute with all his hearts so that is gone. Adjustments… God bless!