in the very early hours
of the morning

after         my mother died
after         the final bit of warmth left her hands
after         the doctor arrived to sign the death certificate
after         the two men from the hospital morgue arrived to take her
                 body
after         thanking the night nurse the one who taught me how to  
                 take my mother's pulse
after         finding my way through the quiet hospital to parking
                 garage

i got in my car
and drove to the exit gate

i could not find
the parking ticket

i checked everywhere
and just could not find it

i pressed the call button
and a voice said

good morning this is peter how can i help you?

good morning peter this is michael my apologies but i lost my parking ticket

don't worry he said just have a nice day

and with that
the gate opened