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The Day Momma Lay Dying

I will forever remember the day my Momma lay dying It is etched into my mind like a permanent scar The eerie quiet that suddenly settled over the room, Except for the lowing sounds of muffled crying and Sad, comforting strains as Uncle Len plucked his guitar Momma said his notes were the last she wanted to hear As the sun sank in the west and dusk hovered nearby, Seemed like angels somewhere afar were welcoming As the time for her departure became increasing clear. Her long nightmare of suffering had come to an end, And none of us wished for her to continue in such pain. Slowly turning her head, she showed no fear, a last look, It appeared as if she was sloughing off the present In anticipation for the reward of her heavenly home, Though we were feeling deep, immeasurable anguish We were part of that somber moment…she was gone. written January 17, 2022

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/17/2022 7:32:00 PM

Read your note to Tom. Though you weren’t with her, the imagination of the moment is with you and perhaps you’ve heard others talk about it. So sorry that you lost your mom at a young age.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 1/17/2022 9:00:00 PM

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/17/2022 8:24:00 PM

I think about her so often, wondering what life would have been like had she lived longer and shared some of my adult years.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/17/2022 7:29:00 PM

Sweet Milton, I totally understand. My mom was in a comatose state at the end but thankfully on a phone call we had an “I love you” fest, not knowing that she would soon die. A great poem that speaks in so many ways…the sadness, looking at a heavenly home, the fact that we will never forget our experience, and most of all how precious are moms are and how much we miss them. ~ hugs

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/17/2022 8:25:00 PM

Thank you so much, Kim, for your warm-hearted, caring, and thoughtful comment on my poem.

Robert Gorelick

Date: 1/17/2022 4:54:00 PM

My mother's passing seemed stark and surreal compared to your romatic version.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/17/2022 5:01:00 PM

Robert, I really appreciate your thoughtful and insightful response to my poem. Thanks so much. It is always a very difficult time in our lives.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/17/2022 3:24:00 PM

So sad Milton, I too was with my mother when she passed and even though you know its inevitable it's still a shock. It's only afterwards that you realise that it was for the best as they are no longer suffering. But it's something that stays with you forever. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/17/2022 4:06:00 PM

Tom, I really wasn't with my mother at the moment of her death. I could not bear to be. I was only 15 years old. So, this is a fictional account. I know in my heart I romanticize her passing, but she died surrounded by love and family after suffering years with cancer.