Mom's Last Words

“when I left her side she said something, nothing of great importance, I did not know those were her last words...” It’s been three years since you have spoken to me, Your voice I hear in my head, is now only a memory, Lying in bed so still and quiet, your chest slowly rises and falls, I sit in silence and listen to your world, all the noises in the halls. You once walked the halls so proud and well dressed, Loving life, enjoying people and feeling so blessed. How can a disease rob you of your heart and soul, I look in your eyes, are you in there, its taken such a toll. I visit you often to sit and talk endlessly about nothing, I wonder if you still enjoy music, oh, how you could sing. The nursing home now does not seem like such a cruel place, You have lost everything in this world, all but your body space. I hug your tiny frame so frail, seems like I may break a bone, The nurses come and go, calling you Junebug, I don’t condone, Your name is June and you’d be unwilling to develop a bond, But now you lie there with arms straight, unable to respond. You guided me in life and loved me well and so strong, But your spirit time with me, loving me was not long. How would I know the last words were really your last, You know nothing now, not me or anything from your past. I want to ask you about your pies, or how to make a curtain, You could answer almost anything, or so it seemed I’m certain. Having a coffee at night when Dad was in bed, we’d just sit and talk, Oh, I miss you so very much, your mind I wish I could unlock. Although I hate to see you fade and lose that last spark in your eye, I know that I’ll see you again one day, when it is my time to die. This disease means losing you twice but that I can endure, For now I know you are at peace in heaven, for that I am sure. Written by Lee Ramage August 27, 2011 Constance LaFrance Contest "Mother" *Placed First*
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Malliaros Avatar
September 3, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Beautiful poem Lee. Congratulations!!!
Ramage Avatar
September 5, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Thanks so much Christine. Lee
George   Avatar
August 30, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Dear Lee, From the depths of your soul - such love and emotion. Such a wonderful tribute to your dear mother. Many congrats on your SO WELL DESERVED FIRST PLACE WIN. (Truly great writing). With much love, your freind, Elaine
Ramage Avatar
August 30, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Thanks Elaine so much. Coming from you I take that as a great compliment. I miss seeing you here on Poetry Soup but I know you have to finish your book, which will be great... I can't wait. Love Lee
Skyles-Theoklapoet Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Oh my such beautiful words Lee.Congrats on your no.1 win and for my congrats to.~LOTS OF LUV~Teresa
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Thanks Teresa. Lee
Beadnall Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 1:28 PM
A touching write,Lee. Deservely top spot billing .. blessings from Paul
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Thank you Paul for taking the time to read it. Your comments are appreciated. Lee
La France Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Congratulations Lee on your shared first place win. Your poem truly touched my heart, I work in long term care as a nurse and we often have pet names for the patients, perhaps it is not proper, but we find some we love so much, we just cannot help it.. we have one we call Ladybug, sort of reminded me alot of your Junebug ~~
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Thanks so much, it was an honour to win, shared win. I know as a nurse myself we often call patients/residents by other names or nicknames, but my Mom was not the type to like that. Mom was a Social worker and we would not have been happy with Junebug, even though I know the people doing it did love Mom, it just hurts that she could not tell them so... hope that makes sense. thanks Lee
Brown Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 7:09 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in Constance's "Mother" contest Lee. Love, Carol
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 9:19 AM
It's the strongest love I have ever known. Thank you Carol for your kind comments. Lee
Williams Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 3:42 AM
hey Lee, i hung on every word, brilliantly done, congrats on this and Zoo one, David
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 6:38 AM
thanks so much David. Lee
Johnson Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:43 AM
Very sad emotive verse, great lady painted, past in verse, well done here babe with style...
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Thanks Don.Lee
Johnson Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Beautiful as well as sad, Lee.Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Thanks Joyce.
Sweetheart Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Congrats Lee on first place win with this wonderful write luv.. knew this one was top notch having read last night .. awesome emotion..
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Thanks Linda.
Taylor Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Congrats on 1st Place, Lee. Beautiful memory. Well written, well deserved win. Nice going. Ralph
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Appreciate your kind comments. Lee
Richards Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 9:31 PM
Oh, this truly touches my heart.....how could it not? Those are the feelings spoken so well....that many many of us have had spinning around inside our heads. Just beautifully written! :)
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:14 PM
thank you so much for your very kind comments, I think you can feel the emotion in it, I cried the whole evening I wrote it. Moms are so special. Lee
Sweetheart Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 10:58 AM
utterly touching write about your Mom Lee and it has also been three years this Thanksgiving my Mom passed away luv... so feeling your deep emotion.. luv your intro quote ..good luck in the contest with this brilliant beauty...
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 11:55 AM
It was heartfelt, I wept the whole time writing it. Thank you so much for your comforting words. No matter how sick they are, you still miss your Mom when they go. Love Lee
Kapoor Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 12:51 AM
A heart moving Poem my friend showing your feelings and great love for your Mom. Mothers are always like that like the most precious part of our life. Great write. My good wishes for your contest entry. Love and best wishes...Ravindra
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 12:59 AM
thank you so much for your kind words. Lee
A   Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Lee, a very moving poem.. you will see her again... when it comes to my mother... i want to ask her other things.. i wish it was about pies... but, my mother left the wrong way.. really thank you for sharing... hope you don't mind that this poem hit my reality issues with my mother... thanks for sharing,..Linda
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Although it was hard to write this, I am glad that you could associate with it. I only hope that you find answers to your questions. Take care, my thoughts are with you. Lee
Smith Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Losing mom is the hardest thing. Your poem elegantly evokes sadness, loss and your love for her.
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 1:04 AM
Thankyou John, it was the hardest poem to write. I appreciate your kind comments. Lee
Villanueva Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 10:55 PM
a nice entry~~~~tears fell from my eyes~~~smile~~~*-*junjun
Ramage Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 11:04 PM
I've been crying all night writing this one... its the first I've written about Mom since she died. Thanks for your comments. Lee
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