I wanted to honor my mother at her memorial service and felt I could do this with poetry better than just “talking.” She was 89 when she died on Christmas eve, 1996.
TO MY MOM, WITH LOVE
Time goes by quickly, it won’t be denied.
But my memories of you and your love cannot hide.
As I honor your life, I know deep in my heart,
That you’ll remember and smile as I share a small part.
You loved to go shopping with bargains in mind.
Brought them all home, modeling one at a time.
Next day you’d return them to each clothing store!
You had lots of fun and saved dollars galore.
A witch you portrayed on the stage in Snow White
The dwarfs took one look and quickly took flight.
You thrived on the grease paint and sound of applause…
You could have done Broadway with hardly a pause.
You were always a writer so gifted in prose.
There’s no doubt in my mind that if you had chosen
You could have gone on to write a best seller,
But you kept all your talents tucked away in the cellar.
No one could match you in baking a pie
Like your apple or blueberry, and though I would try,
I never quite got your speed and your flourish.
You flew ‘round the kitchen…a memory I cherish.
You also instilled in your daughter a love
For both books and writing—they go hand in glove.
You’ve read one a day for most of your life
Vicariously living the joys and the strife.
You skimmed through the pages with the speed of a jet
And I mourned for missed words of the authors, and yet
You reviewed those same books with zest and a feel
That the mysteries and romance were definitely real.
The poets refer to a “look that can kill.”
You were a master at that, I remember it still.
No words did you speak or ever have need
For if the shoe fit, my conscience would bleed.
We had such great times on Chebeague, oh so free,
As broken down skiffs became ships out at sea.
And I was captain and stood straight and tall
And rocks in the bay became ports of call.
We laughed and we played but the memories are mine.
You gave me a brother I’ll love through all time.
You shared in my agonies and also my joys,
You loved your grandchildren in spite of their noise.
I love you for that and for just who you are,
A shiny bright light in my heavens, a star…
When all’s said and done, though memories are fading,
I’d not change a thing, nor think about trading.
Your laughter was merry, eyes sparkling with life.
You’ve been a great mother and a wonderful wife.
I’ll miss you much more than words can express,
Especially your words,
“Good Night and God Bless.”
God Bless You, Mom. I love you.
Judy
Read Judith’s latest book…
Just Beautiful, and so true. For me, it wasn’t “Good night and God bless,” it was “Good night, and don’t let the bedbugs bite!” How lucky we both were to have had her for a mom. This poem is really, really special! At her memorial service, I didn’t remember the poem so well, but now I always can…