Friday, April 13, 2012

April

For Mary Kay

Yesterday in the morning I left the house
to go be with my grandmother
as she died.

I asked how I was to do this
--watch somebody die--
and the answer was to take the tenderest care of myself
and all living things.

Why is it that every night I
resolve to love more fiercely
and every morning I awake the same stunted, failing clay?

It had rained the night before and the earth
smelled wantonly ripe and wet like
making life.
The soil spongy like a woman's fertile womb.
The earth doesn't mourn the dying in spring.
The cherry blossoms and lilacs don't apologize
for their lurid and honey-fragrant vigor.

They told me
that the only answer to death
is to become more wildly and unabashedly
alive.



**At the time of this posting my grandmother is being made comfortable, and is cared for, and has not yet finished the journey from this world to the next**

11 comments:

  1. How utterly beautiful. I was expecting to see the name of a great poet at the end of this, a famous one. I was expecting to think, "why have I never seen his/her poem before?"

    Wow.

    And I send love and healing thoughts to you as you witness your grandmother.

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  2. Those were all just words, until you strung them together and made them something more. Thank you.

    Prayers sent for your family and Grandmother

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  3. Thanks, Elizabeth, for your love and thoughts (and kind words).

    Thanks Jane, for your prayers.

    Love back to you both.

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  4. Just some hugs and some tears and some "I know"s and some prayers for you and yours.

    Incredible writing, as always.

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  5. I was in the room when my grandfather died. It was sad yet beautiful thing. Love to you and your family.

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  6. This makes all kinds of parts of my heart ache. With the sadness of a loved one saying goodbye, the realization that this is part of life, the resolve to "do better" in the future ... I just heart this post, V. I also send hugs, love, and peace to you and all those who love your Grandmother.

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  7. You are so beautiful and brilliantly pensive and creative, Bea. Love you.

    I know Grandma did, too. I know for a fact she loved this about you.

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  8. Love you Brit. You are such a beautiful amazing woman, I know these words and your feeling will inspire not just you but others saying goodbye to their loved ones.

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  9. That's a beautiful poem. And you should publish some of your verse.
    Love, Dad.

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