In my own, inimitable way I have chosen to seek the gift in an otherwise challenging situation. Often, in the midst of a challenge I find comfort in writing. Today I choose to share the poem that was born of one of these situations.
I feel most fortunate to have been able to be with my mother at the time she made her transition and although it was the saddest time for me there was also a joyful part that I will forever treasure. Enjoy “Green Meadow”.
SHE WAS JUST THE GREATEST LADY I HAVE EVER KNOWN
THERE ARE TIMES I’D GIVE THE WORLD JUST TO CALL HER ON THE PHONE
BEFORE SHE LEFT THIS WORLD SHE GAVE THE GREATEST GIFT TOME
MY MOTHER HAD A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN AND CAME BACK TO SAY WHAT SHE DID SEE
‘TWAS A SUNNY AFTERNOON AS SHE LAY THERE IN THAT BED
SHE ASKED IF I WOULD GET THE NURSE THEN THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID
“NURSE I’M GOING TO DIE NOW YOU’D BEST BRING THE DOCTOR IN!”
WE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THIS WAS TRUE AS HER VOICE WAS FRAIL AND THIN
THE DOCTOR CAME FROM NO-WHERE ONE WE’D NEVER SEEN BEFORE
THE WORDS HE SAID WERE DOCUMENTED AND I NEVER COULD IGNORE
“YOUR MOTHER HAS A SHORT TIME NOW – BETWEEN TEN MINUTES TO TWO HOURS.
YOU’D BEST CALL YOUR BROTHER I NOW!” I WISHED I HAD SOME MAJIC POWERS
AS WE GATHERED ALL AROUND HER SHE GENTLY CLOSED HER EYES
SHE SAID “I SEE YOUR FATHER!” THIS WAS A NICE SURPRISE
“HE SENDS HIS LOVE TO YOU AND AL!” THEN HER VOICE WAS LIKE A CHILD
AS SHE CALLED OUT TO HER DADDY LIKE SHE WAS RUNNING WILD
SHE LOOKED JUST LIKE AN ANGEL INSTEAD OF EIGHTY – THIRTY EIGHT
ALL NIGHT WE SAT BESIDE HER WITH NAUGHT TO DO BUT WAIT
THEN SUDDENLY SHE SAT UP AND POINTED TO THE SKY
SHE SAID “HE FOOLED ME – NO I FOOLED HIM – IT’S NOT MY TIME TO DIE
HER VOICE WAS NICE AND STRONG NOW NOT LIKE HER VOICE HAD BEEN
AND AS I GENTLY HELD HER I ASKED WHAT SHE HAD SEEN
SHE SAID, “IT WAS LIKE A BRIGHT GREEN MEADOW AND YOUR FATHERS FACE SHONE THROUGH
HE WANTED ME TO BRING HIS LOVE BACK HERE TO AL AND YOU
THAT WASN’T ALL HE SAID IN THAT PASTURE FROM ABOVE
HE SAID “GO BACK AND CHEER THOSE BUGGERS UP!” – NOW THAT’S THE MAN I LOVE!”
FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS SHE SET OUT TO MAKE US SMILE
SHE EVEN MADE THE DOCTORS LAUGH WHICH HADN’T HAPPENED FOR A WHILE
WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE SHE WITNESSED IN THAT MEADOW BRIGHT AND GREEN
I’M JUST SO GREATFUL FOR THE GREATEST GIFT THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN
This is a sample of one of over a hundred poems that will be in Mahri's new book Soul Talking "Wisdom in Rhyme" scheduled for release June 2009
Bookmark: ...