I Came a Long Way

I came a very long way to see you today, under a wreath of ice and clouds and falling snow- In the deep cold of WINTER- I found your headstone, and brushed away the icy frozen snow with my mitten; to reveal just one word (just one) the word- MOTHER. I closed my eyes and WHISPERED, I love you Mom, Remembering the day we stood on the street holding hands, and in slow motion, Susan disappeared under huge truck wheels; her blood soaking the PURE white snow to ruby red- And the drum of time ceased and you were screaming. I hear that screaming every night- it will ALWAYS haunt . . . You were holding my hand so tight that it hurt- we had a special bond that no one could understand, a shared sorrow and PAIN- the memory that we shared. It left my life a ravaged garden- (and you knew)! When I was SAD- you held my hand so tight, when my baby died, when my husband died, you held; when Dad died, I held YOUR hand and kissed you- When you got sick I held your hand- we talked, when you were taking your LAST BREATH- I held you. And by some miracle- in that LAST gasp of life, you opened your tired eyes like a flower bud blooming, and said, as clear as an azure blue sky above- I love you . . . just three little words- my heart swelled, and I put those words within like a precious gift . . . ______________________ March 13, 2017 (edit, I Love You) Free Verse/I Came A Long Way Copyright Protected, ID 884367 Submitted to the contest, Free Verse, 250 words or less sponsor, Laura Loo Second Place