To Mother

A stabbing pain awakes me, The beating of my heart, The crying of my soul Signaling empty—that you are gone. I never lost such love Until I lost yours. The dark was never so deep Until your light went out. You are gone, gone, gone, gone And I can’t reach you E’en though I stretch a wild hand To find lonely fingers. Your voice—its cadence In my ears. Your lovely charm and face A whisper of memory. Come back for only a breath And then another, another, So I never have to breathe Without the love you breathed into me.