Mother

She looks so fragile. Her posture, usually so straight and confident, is hunched. Her eyes - those brilliant sapphire-blue eyes that captivated my dad thirty years ago - are a tear-softened turquoise behind black-rimmed glasses. She stares blankly out the window, seeing something I don't. Watching memories, perhaps. 

My mum, the strongest woman I know, looks breakable. 


the old cherry clock ticks away broken heartbeats -- splash of crimson wine
I sit beside her and place my hand over her smaller, trembling one. It's the only comfort she will accept. She is my mother. She is supposed to be strong for me, not the other way around. That's what she would say. So I sit beside her helplessly, holding her tiny hand. She has lost her mother tonight. And I can only hope that, someday, I will have a child to hold my hand when I lose this woman I love so dearly.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
September 20, 2016 at 9:23 AM
It would be great for you to come back. I hope you are well.
Anish Avatar
July 23, 2016 at 8:22 PM
This was touching. Drop by and view my latest for comparison. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Lamoureux Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Dropping by to say hi.
Lamoureux Avatar
June 13, 2016 at 8:02 AM
I hope you return to the soup Heather, you are missed.
A   Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Deep write, Heather, touching imagery... :( LINDA
Allison Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 1:13 PM
such an emotional haibun Heather I have a huge lump in my throat reading this moving write:-( Hugs Jan xxx
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 3, 2016 at 2:46 AM
This is so beautiful and very moving Heather. Life can be so challenging. Blessings, Connie #7
Martin Avatar
December 11, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Beautiful, Heather! I think this haibun and Sand Dollar. . . are among my favorites. I have published many tanka and consider yours eminently publishable.
Vaso Avatar
November 29, 2015 at 11:32 PM
The sadness and emotions come screaming through the screen, so touching and and I hope you are coping, this poem only shows what a wonderful person you are! :)
Lamoureux Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 7:44 AM
Well worth reading again Heather. Hugs Rick.
Cwiak Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 9:57 AM
What an introspective look at the sadness of the loss of a loved one. Just beautiful in word and form. Congratulations on the win.rdu
Dietrich Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 4:12 PM
wow, this is amazing how you wrote it. OH, I wish I could do a haibun like this!!!
Lamoureux Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 9:04 AM
This pulls at the heart, so sorry for both of your losses. I love the way you so intimately painted this picture.
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