This poem is written in response to the sixty first edition of Fiction Monday hosted on Reflections by Vinitha Dileep. I chose the word prompt, “life”. If you like it, do say so in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
Life
Gliding through each room
Looking sadly all around
Touching not things but memories
Of a life once lived
In pain and shame
Giving in to demands
Made of body and mind.
She looks at the baby
Asleep in the crib
Once again she had failed
To do what she wanted
By dying she had left her daughter
Defenceless to face her fate.
In not going where the first lines led my thoughts, you’ve given me an idea for a very different poem – thank you for that!
This is sad. I wonder if the child as aware of the mother’s spectral, helpless presence. We usually think of “guardian angels” in those who’ve gone before. We’d like to think we’d BE that guardian angel for our children or grandchildren. The reality is probably closer to this poetic vision. I’d say more, but I think I’ll leave my thoughts for the new poem!
Waiting to read it!
This is heart-wrenching. I’ve been reading about Covid orphans and feel so helpless and depressed.
Oh! I didn’t expect those last two lines!
This is so painful! ❤
The last line made me sad.
I sometimes wonder, do people who go away, ‘visit’ their loved ones and feel sorry for not being there for them? Rue their early exit?