My Mother
My mother came to me one day,
And asked me to google certain drugs;
Drugs that make one sleep
And drugs to make one stop breathing
If taken in large quantities.
I knew what this was for:
I had always known how she felt -
She alone owned her life.
As the TIAs came more frequently,
We talked of her childhood.
And one day, too soon, she confirmed
I would be away for the weekend -
When was I coming home?
Sunday? Good. If the curtains are closed,
You will know, she said.
I nodded. So as I left for the weekend,
She walked me to the gate, to close it -
As usual. Ta-ta, I said.
She responded, Ta-ta.
As usual. She closed the gate.
On Sunday, the curtains were closed.
And asked me to google certain drugs;
Drugs that make one sleep
And drugs to make one stop breathing
If taken in large quantities.
I knew what this was for:
I had always known how she felt -
She alone owned her life.
As the TIAs came more frequently,
We talked of her childhood.
And one day, too soon, she confirmed
I would be away for the weekend -
When was I coming home?
Sunday? Good. If the curtains are closed,
You will know, she said.
I nodded. So as I left for the weekend,
She walked me to the gate, to close it -
As usual. Ta-ta, I said.
She responded, Ta-ta.
As usual. She closed the gate.
On Sunday, the curtains were closed.
© Jimali McKinnon, 18 hours ago
Prompt is the picture of the statue.
Note: "ta-ta" is Australian vernacular for 'see you again' or 'goodbye', originating as baby talk and used also by family and close friends. (Not to be confused with "tah", which is baby talk for 'thank-you'.)
Note: "ta-ta" is Australian vernacular for 'see you again' or 'goodbye', originating as baby talk and used also by family and close friends. (Not to be confused with "tah", which is baby talk for 'thank-you'.)
Submitted to All.Poetry.com contest "we don't say goodbye", closed 23 July 15. Finalist.
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