You never expected
your mother to die
although the hospital
hinted at such

all lost
in their
language trap
all in all

it was a double blow
as dementia took her
piece by piece
years ago

then the final punch
the knock out blow
remembering
someone saying

that’s how
some loved ones
tend to go
and the relationship

between mother and child
is never simple
travelling as it does
through high hills

and valleys sometimes
dark and often deep
and remembering
all that

the need to weep
you reflect on all that
the final sight
of your mother

in that bed
the closed eyes
the small smile
remain in your head

and you know
after all such
you loved her overmuch
and always will

indeed
you love her still.