Please Life: A Daughter's Lament

Dear Life, Please tell my mother that I'm sorry that I can't shield her from this storm Tell her I remember her gentle hands soothing my fevered brow Tell her that her strength was my anchor when my own body betrayed me Let her know that I wish I could erase the fear in her eyes, replace it with the joy she wore when we danced in the summer rain I cannot bear to see her wither like autumn leaves when she should be basking in her golden years and I will not accept that she might leave before she sees her great-grandchild's first smile I will not be ready to let go of her hand that has held mine through every trial and "mom" might not be there to guide me anymore Dear Life, please do not tell her that you last saw me crumpled on the cold bathroom floor, my tears mingling with despair but make sure to tell her that with every fiber of my being, I said for you to tell her that I will fight alongside her, love's fierce warriors.