THE DAWN PASSING

Sun light pierced the darkness

Through unmet curtains

Spilling gentle early morning sun

On her quiet restful countenance

Facing the dawn

She lay on her side

Her hand supporting her pail cheek

She was at peace

Her three-score year and ten served

Age and weariness had left her

And the pain, which hardens our features, was no more

As I held her cold hand

I remembered her warmth

And my mind was at once filled

With a lifetime’s memories

Good memories

Warm and rich beyond price

Memories So vivid they might have been yesterday

My lips quivered

And my eyes filled with the sting of tears

Happy for the memories

But so sad for the loss

Then Suddenly The peace was broken

With the doctor’s heavy footfall on the stairs

So, I kissed her gentle hand

And said my last goodbye to mum. 

I COULD NOT WEEP

 

I could not weep

As I sat at his side

His hand once as strong as atlas

Now to weak to grip

Weak like a babe

More so

 

I could not weep

As I watched the frown

Furrowing his weathered face

Grey, expressionless

And as his frown faded,

As the morphine takes control

 

I could not weep

As he lays motionless,

Breath shallow

Silent, almost

But for the occasional groan

Beneath the morphine

 

I could not weep

At his deathbed

As the monster within

Crept through his organs

Hastening the end

For him and for itself

 

I could not weep

As his muscles relaxed

And the pain was no more

As he exhaled his last

And his soul passed

When he was at peace

 

I could not weep

Not because it wasn’t macho

Nor for lack of love

It was perhaps numbness

Or a need to be strong

For family, others

 

I could not weep

Not when he was diagnosed

Nor when he released his grip on life

Not even at his funeral

I could not weep

When my father died