I was with her when she died,
only positive memories in my mind.
Holding her hand, leaning down close,
my mouth so near her ear.
Faith and love seemed to rush in
overcome all doubt as I said,
“Go toward the light mom.
Daddy’s there, he’s missed you.”
Her eyes opened. She smiled at me –
and then she was gone.
What was the sound I heard
before that last breath?
Not a death rattle. A sigh?
A wooshing? Surely the machines near her.
Or perhaps an angel’s wings?
Helping her soar to another universe.
A place to reunite with my father,
her son, her sisters and brother,
her mother and father.
A place with no pain, no loneliness.
I hope so.
I truly hope so.
Written for Quadrille Monday at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. We were asked to use the word “wing” or a form of the word, within our poem of exactly 44 words, sans title. I got so carried away in the emotional writing of the poem, that I went way over the 44 words. So posting it today for Open Link Night. Photo is one of my favorites of my mom, taken at my nephew’s cabin.
lillian the home poet 
This is a beautiful poem… wonderful but maybe a bit over the 44 word limit..
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So great to revisit this fantastic poem… so glad that it sprung for that quadrille word
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Thank you, Bjorn. I’m so glad you read it early on that Quadrille Monday, so I could immediately take it down. And your kind words of encouragement motivated me to post it again. It was a most miraculous day, that day. I shall never forget it.
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Hugs. I miss my mom so much! Loving tribute poem 💕
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Thank you, Paula. Hugs to you as well.
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What a gift for both you that she had you at her side. The poem deserved more attention than 44 words
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What a kind kind reply to post. It was a gift indeed. I shall never forget that day.
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This is worth every word.
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Thank you, Ken. Just reading comments on past poems…now that surgery is done and recovered from on both eyes. Amazing what a vibrant world of color we live in — mine had been covered with a haze. Who knew?
In terms of this poem, I will never forget that day. My mother brought me into this world and I had the honor of being with her when she left this world.
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Beautiful!!! Screw 44 words!! I also hope to see my loved ones again who have passed ❤
"I hope so.
I truly hope so."
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I lOVE your response here! I’m just getting to read coments on past posts…now that I’m recovered from the two month process of cataract surgery on both eyes. I can actually see the print on my computer clearly and the colors….oh the colors. Let’s just say I had no idea I was living in such a vibrant world!!!!
And so lovely to read your reply here. Being with my mother as she died, it was a privilege and a day I shall never forget.
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I love this personal share Lillian. I believe it as well. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you, Grace. Just getting back to replying to comments on my past posts…both eyes are GREAT and wow — what a vibrant world we live in! The colors…even the whites….are amazing. And the print is so clear on my computer.
Yes….I believe it….and I will never ever forget that day.
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This is such a beautiful tribute to your mom, Lillian. I am sure you heard angel’s wings.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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Thank you so much! Just now replying to comments from past posts….eyes are both doing great after the 2-month cataract surgery process. I can SEE!
And in regards to this post, I was honored to be with my mom when she died — it is a day I will never ever forget.
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You are so welcome, Lillian. To be with the loved ones as they breathe their last is an experience one can never forget.
So glad to know both your eyes are doing great! Wonderful!
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Dear Lillian,
I could not read your poem without sobbing … my experience with my mother the same … down to the last seconds of her life as I held her in the crook of my arm, her last breath. I have saved your poem in a file I keep titled ‘the most wonderful poems ever’ ~ thank you.
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Oh Helen….I am sorry for your loss. I truly felt it was a privilege to be with my mother as she died. She brought me into this world and I was humbled to be with her as she left it. I shall never ever forget that day.
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Lillian, this is a tough read for me, with my mom passing on in June. I feel certain she’s with her beloved husband and they are running like children, through the fields ❤
I think what you heard was just that. {{{{HUGS}}}}
"Or perhaps an angel’s wings?
Helping her soar to another universe."
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I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Mothers are so very special….after all, we bear the mark of our connection to them for our entire journey through our lives — the navel, the bellie button. Somehow those words to describe it seem so silly when you think about what that mark really is. Our lifelong connection reminding of us how nurtured us before we even came into this world. I truly was humbled and honored to be with her as she died. It’s a day I’ll never ever forget.
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{{{HUGS}}}
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This is so moving Lillian, I felt this deeply.
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It was a day I will never ever forget.
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This drew a deep sigh from me, Lillian. The poem in its entirety is so deep, so personal and so very moving. I could feel your emotions coursing through as I read on.. sending love and hugs your way.. 💜
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