Oatmeal Sunday Morning

I feigned taking a bite
attempting, of course, to convince her

oatmeal was yummy, "good for her"
necessary               etc.


I made rhymes of moons 
                                        and spoons

oats and boats,
little girls wearing coats


She smiled, but refused to take a bite
as she had nearly every day now
for                                                       months


I turned to reach a paper towel
to mop up the inevitable drips caught in the palm of my hand

spoons and cupped hands
they are the same thing, right?


I never heard a death rattle
of course, these old ears of mine...


The hospice nurse gently closed her eyes.


I said, "Goodbye Mother,"

and wondered how it had happened so quickly,
those sixty-nine years we shared.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Cresswell Avatar
August 22, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Oh John I am so sorry for you loss. Enjoyed how the poem began by giving me the thought that you were feeding your child but it was your mother. The ending was sadI know that kind of loss.
Flats Avatar
August 23, 2017 at 9:00 AM
Twas observed, not personally experienced, but I'm glad I caught the moment. Am honored by your many visits. Thanks! ~ john
Ellison Avatar
July 10, 2017 at 4:19 PM
IMPRESSED!!! You betcha kind sir! WHOOP WHOOP!!!
Ellison Avatar
July 26, 2017 at 2:30 PM
NO NO NO!!! Not bored... just checking you out! After all it's a small payback for the many many times you visit my page! Got a lot of catching up to do! Pray I stick around long enough, dear friend!!! CHEERS JACKSON!!!
Flats Avatar
July 10, 2017 at 6:18 PM
You must be bored if you're poking in my poem closet;-) Careful, never can tell what you might find in here:-) Thanks for the Whoop2!
Hoffman Avatar
July 3, 2017 at 9:06 AM
Wow John; you had me fooled thinking it was a child….sad but touching write! My own 80 y/o Mom isn't doing well these days and is under my older sisters and a couple of days a week hospice care…thank God your poem was fictional!~Che :)
Flats Avatar
July 4, 2017 at 7:41 AM
Thanks for stopping by Cheryl. Sorry to hear about your mom. Hugs ~ j
Allison Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Oh gosh John I have tears here - what a tender moment you portray in this heartbreaking poem. It reminds me of how our parents tried to encourage us to eat our food when we were babies and it seems life does go full circle. :-( hugs jan xx
Flats Avatar
July 3, 2017 at 8:24 AM
I have no idea where this came from, it just popped out...poof! Maybe my morning oatsmeal was spiked with something;-) Hugsniks ~ J
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