I Didn'T Cry For Mom

I wish I could have cried
The day my Mother died
But the relief that she was now at rest
Was such a release to my tight chest
Scorned I was by family members
Who were able to cry while I sat and remembered
The way she endured Chemo with such grace
The way her frail body felt in my embrace
The painful coughing that cracked her ribs
Her fingernails all torn down deep to the nibs
The coma she lingered in for weeks
Each breath she took  and held made us seek
To see if that one breath had been her last
But stubbornly she let it through her lips pass
To draw another each one more shallow
She never would have wanted to be left to wallow
The tubes and wires, masks and fluids
Was not my Mother, how could they do it
At last the family all agreed
To release her from her misery
No I couldn't cry for her that day
I held it all in until the funeral came
Then as the pall bearers carried her casket down the isle
I cried and cried just like a child


"I Remember Mamma" Contest
Placement: 3rd place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Richards Avatar
April 6, 2010 at 1:40 PM
This poem holds true for many of us, who cannot show the tears when others do...yet they are there, beneath the surface to shed when it is our own personal moment to grieve. A well thought poem of insight. Congratulations,...... Love, Carrie
Mehta Avatar
April 5, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Congrats for the win. I too did not cry the day my mom died. But after a week I had some weak moments and all of a sudden I cried and wept for half an hour-
Dietrich Avatar
April 5, 2010 at 8:32 PM
YOu don't have to cry. I've never been able to cry much at funerals,etc. My eyes water up & people think I am weird for not crying alot. We were very prepared for our stepdad to die of alzheimers, so in fact, we were wanting for him to be released to peace and we all got together at his funeral and were laughing telling our memories as we drove in the limousine. I bet the driver thought we were an insane family. Anyway, this is very Good poetry and very touching. A very deserved win. LUv, Andrea
Sweetheart Avatar
April 5, 2010 at 6:03 AM
Congrats Paula on your winning poem and placement in Debbie's contest.. a wonderful write and win for u to so enjoy .. precius write..luv.. Linda-Marie..
Palli Avatar
February 28, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Oh so sorry for your loss. So painful.
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