My mother was good person
I’m sure she was,
She wasn’t a criminal; she never attracted anyone’s ire
Except for Mrs Moch, but that’s another story.
She took us to Mass on Sundays
We prayed the rosary every night
She insisted we say our prayers before bed
She gave us jobs we had to get done
As our contribution to the household.
Last Monday my mother would have turned 88
Had she lived the last thirty years.
She is forever young.
A woman who loved her sport
The horses
Cards
Tennis and bowls.
She’d cook breakfast
Dinner at night
Rush off to housie every Tuesday evening,
Her night out.
My mother was not a very worldly woman,
I can still remember vividly her embarrassment
When I asked her what sex was.
She lived in the same house for much of her life
She raised three sons and a daughter
She was an avid listener to radio and later the TV soapies.
She wouldn’t listen if you tried to feign illness
‘You’ll be alright when you get going.’
How often did I hear that, how often was she right.
One night my sister rang, and blurted out
‘Mum’s dead.’
A numbness settled on me,
I lived a long way from home in those days
I had my own little family.
What I do remember of my mother
And it’s as clear now as then
Is settling into bed that night
Still numb and in denial
And hearing her come to me
And say
‘Goodbye Michael.’
I swear it happened
She came to me and said good-bye.
I have that as my last memory of my mother.
This is Poem 57, my mother died aged 57. I didn’t plan it this way I assure you.
Morpethroad 
Very moving, beautiful, spiritual tribute!! 🙂 🙂
Thanks Helen, it’s the first time I have written about my mother, about time after all these years.
Loved your poem. Beautiful tribute to your mother.
Thank you O, its been a long time coming. enjoy your day.
Enjoy your day too 🙂
Everyday is a good day O
Love your attitude 🙂
Lovely tribute. Very heartfelt.
Thank you Anja.
This is such a lovely poem Michael, all a mother could want from her loving son. It made me smile and it made me tear up. Beautiful.
Thank you Georgia, it has taken me a long time to write about her.
So I saw…but when you did, it was beauty itself..
Oh thank you.
A touching poem. I believe your mom did stop by to say goodbye to you. I also bet she stops by to visit you now & again too 😉
Thanks RoSy, I have sometimes thought the same. Funny you know i was with my dad when he died and I never had the same sensation. But I know he is around too.