Did they bake you a cake?

The third birthday celebrated in mums absence. A dream, mum's birthday

I watched in silence as you opened your presents,
each one a struggle, your arthritic fingers trembling
as they searched for an opening between taped edges.
Gifts, once unwrapped, were given a cursory glance, put to one side,
if clothes these neatly folded.
Envelopes were then handed to you ready openend,
the card half exposed making it easier for you,
this "our" way on your birthday and mother's day.
Each and every word then read aloud,
a hint of excitement, joy, tinging your voice if a rhyming verse found,
this always and ever your favourite style of greeting, message.
When done you settled back in your recliner
clasping a lukewarm, half cup of tea,
this lifted shakily to your thin, cracked lips to sip.
As you did this a question played on my mind,
but not wanting to disturb, distract you, this not asked.
So I have spent the morning wondering,
wondering as to whether or not the angels baked you a cake...

Author's Note

Sad :((

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Gee... In the Fifties "Angel Cake" was quite he "Rage"...
Now as we turn the Pages of yesteryears... a tear remembers
those Birthday Greetings and Cards read in the presence of
scented flowers. My Birthday is April 23... and I am still
writing lines that rhyme. I was born the year that brought us
the Song--
"When you wish upon a Star" from Pinocchio. Angel do bake Cakes
for Moms on Earth and in Heaven. I was touched by an Angel to read your Poem
on the Eve of my Birthday. Delicious Poem. tenderly, Pat

[Gee]

Belated birthday greetings Patricia, mine falls on the 30th of this month.
Thank you for a lovely review

[Patricia Wedel]

Happy Birthday Gee on April 30 ... our weather has been unpredictable; however the days roll on with renewed energy... wishing you Good Health and prosperity. truly, Pat

[Gee]

Thank you Patricia

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed sad as you recall your sad loss and memories of your beloved mother Gee. This is a well described, pathos filled piece. My thoughts go out to you!

[Gee]

Good morning John, thank you

[mariposa]

I have no words. The last line, it makes my heart ache. However, your words are comforting. I'd love to read more of your works!

[Gee]

Thank you for your kind words

[Papaya]

I'll bet they did, Gee.
I'll bet they did for sure.
So much love in each line of this poem.

[Gee]

Good morning Ana, thank you.
Hope you and yours are well.

[Papaya]

Good morning, Gee
You're welcome. All good here

[Davidgeo]

This was not pleasant. I don't care to really elaborate on that in this moment.

Have you ever seen the movie called "The Running Man"?

[Gee]

Good morning Dave, hope you are well.
Running man, no, have never watched it but will go google .
Will of course be interested to read your thoughts when you do elaborate as this was written a week or so after a dream I had, a teary dream I might add.
Cheers

[Davidgeo]

Watch the movie. It won't help you with your dreams but you will find it at the very least moderately entertaining. It's one of the best "s****y" movies ever made.

[Gee]

Will do. Seldom dream, had a few after mum popped her clogs, on and off for the first year. Strange that I miss her so much but at times struggle to bring images of her to mind, it's as if I've forgotten her now she has gone, which is so, so far from the truth as I never will.

[Gee]

By the way, love it when you comment on any of my stuff because your thoughts are usually so far removed from all others and honest, which is what we all need.

[Davidgeo]

Thanks and thanks.

Also, it's important to remember that you will never forget some things. The one thing I hate about aging is that... my siblings are doing the same damn thing. It's impossible to gain wisdom without losing something precious along the way. Life sucks sometimes.

[Davidgeo]

(everybody gets to dies eventually)

[Davidgeo]

I sometimes hate this place

[Gee]

Life or this web site, or both
Into my 59th year now and find myself looking at our close knit friend group and wondering to as to which one of us will croak first and whether or not the partnerless ones next squeeze would be welcomed into the group.

[Davidgeo]

Jesus gee. That's... kind of a fucked up way to interreact with a relative stranger. But what's the point? I mean in taking it "proper"... what's your purpose Gee? Everybody has one... I refuse to believe you're not a part of that very, very obvious structure of events.

[Davidgeo]

I like cats and impressing classy older women. It's very difficult for me to get laid honestly.

[Gee]

I'm allergic to cat fur and for me to shag an older woman would have me scouring old folks homes and cemeteries

[Davidgeo]

You make me laugh. A lot.

Have I ever tried to get you into the comedic stylings of a fellow by the name of Doug Stanhope? I have a feeling you'll enjoy his humor.

He's a little crass but he's really good at his job.

[gram linski]

hey, Gee, you know they baked a cake sprinkled in Angel dust, lovely sentiment, and some fine poetry, grand poem,

[Gee]

Hi Gram, apologies for missing your words. Thank you. Hope you are safe and well.
Love reading the interactions between you and Eilis. Often read both of your works but mostly don't understand...I'm a wee bit thick ya know

[gram linski]

aye yer no that daft, wide boy, take care

[Sharda]

My Father is dead and my Mother is in her late seventies. This poem brought back so many memories of them
I could imagine an old woman surrounded with a loving family, Each of her kids and grand kids remembering the day when this old woman had done the one nice that had brightened their day
The more I read your poems the bigger the fan of yours I become

[Gee]

Thank you again, tis all simple stuff :)

[Gee]

Thanks Gram. Mum will be 1 year passed on the 09/04. Only seems like yesterday I had "that" knock on the door.

[Beccy]

Gee. Your author's note, says 'sad.' I didn't think this sad, it was warm and loving, a celebration of a life well lived and enjoyed to the end, as evidenced in your line, 'a hint of excitement, joy, tinging your voice if a rhyming verse found.'

My parent's are in their seventies now, and my dad has a fairly serious condition, though thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, it's being kept at bay. I know that one day I will face what you have faced; but I pray it will a while before the angels bake them a cake, (such a wonderful line...)

Beccy.

[Gee]

Hi Beccy, the "sad" was my mood at the time of writing :)
I too hope it is many a year before the angels have to bake anything for your parents.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, tis always appreciated very much.

[SM Davis]

this is lovely. Your sweetness shines through with intense imagery. Very e.e. cummings-ish.

[Gee]

Thank you kindly

[SM Davis]

Keep writing.

[Huckleberry Hoo]

Yes... nothing sadder than watching as they wither away, that and seeing the signs in ourselves.

[Gee]

Aye, we are all heading that way.
Cheers