I hope I can
remember my mother
with kindness and joy
someday;
to forget the long agony
of watching her disappear into herself,
disappearing into a somewhere I have no ken,
leaving only the angry husk of an ego
so ornery it leaves one
breathless with rage.
I hope I can resurrect her
in my heart someday, some day, and
remember the lovely things she did for us all.

I hope she reappears to me in light and gossamer, as she once did,
in fey jokes and laughter uncontrollable,
in food well cooked and delicious, thoughtful of health
and healing.
I hope I forget the plaints and sorrows soon. Yes, soon.
Sooner.
Soonest.
I hope my love for her will rectify me.


c. June 15, 2013
Roberta Compton Rainwater