There came a point when the cancer spread to your brain,
A point in time where you couldn't even yell out in pain.

When the clicker was a telephone,
And you sat in a hospital bed all alone.
Not noticing the crowds of friends coming to say their goodbyes.

Some to laugh and some to cry.

All talking to a woman they used to know but now sits silent,
Minutes passing and closer to dying.

I was then only in my adolescence.
Sixteen.
cruel and mean.

I waited for the crowd to dissipate,
Standing in the doorway,
thinking of what to say.

To the mother whom I said I hate,
Yelled and fought and ran away.

I lied next to you,
covered in confusion as to what to say,
What to do?
"I'm sorry for every bad thing I've ever said and done"
"You really are the best, mom"

Thinking it was too late and you didn't understand,
I went to leave but you raised your hand.

Caressing my arm as we lie in silence together,
A moment that resonates in my soul forever.

The moment my thoughts were free,
The moment I made my peace,
The moment you made the decision to leave.