It rained today

How deep is your love

The rain came today, heavy, persistent,
filling the air with the sweet smell of parched earth.
I took deep breaths, long, slow deep breaths,
my face turned to the heavens, eyes closed,
allowing raindrops to wash over my sun dried skin.
It filled the age chiseled cracks and creases,
ran through salt and pepper stubble
before dripping from a jaw line that refuses to acknowledge the onset of age.
I smiled to myself, thought of mum and
how she always commented on our "good genes"
age defying genes she said, but mums do don't they.
In her mind I was faultless, could do no wrong,
and if I did, well, she never let on verbally
but was unable to disguise the truth in her eyes.

She has been gone 14 months now and not a day passes
where she isn't in my thoughts,
these sometimes bringing smiles, other times tears,
and of late frustration.
Frustration brought on by my inability
to clearly recall her face, her features, smile...
It's as if I'm forgetting her, as if my love wasn't deep seated enough
to carry her with me through the rest of my life,
as her love carried me through mine, and this saddens me greatly,
has tears welling...

It rained today, raindrops washing my tears through salt and pepper stubble.

Reviews

[Donna]

First I want to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. It's never easy losing a parent no matter how old you are my. I like how descriptive you are. Great poem Gee.

[Gee]

If you could do a double review on all of my offerings it may well look as though I'm popular :))))

[Dave Brown]

the living thing has been worked out fairly well but the dying part needs heavy improvement
I'm sure we all feel some guilt as the image fades
My guilt comes from absolutely completely forgetting her warmth and image as a younger person and all I remember is a sorry old soul wasting away in a wheelchair with absolutely no idea of who I was.
I try not to think about it
Give your doggy a pat

[Gee]

Have them both on my lap fast asleep!
Thanks Dave

[Robert Trakofler]

this is just beautiful Gee... I wouldn't change a word! when I read something like this I always want to say something, but I always seem to stumble so i defer to the only poem i have ever been able to write about loss...
__Listen For The Whisper__

Though my motion will cease to stir
And voice no longer heard
Long past movements entreat to spur
Breathes billow to my words

And please listen for the whispers
Those times you fell or ached
Recall my soothes oh so tender
And feel my warm embrace

Please don’t grieve my loss lost passage
My grave resides in you
The progeny of my passion
Those whispers sing for you

[Gee]

They are beautiful words Robert.
Thank you for dropping in and commenting, it is always good to see you.

[olla]

my Mom has been gone for almost 20 years now.. I miss her every day.. the pain has been gone for a long time now but still... not a day goes by that she isn't poking around somewhere.. I have to look no further than my mirror to remember her face.. but yes.. I too have "good genes" it didn't rain for me today but Mom came for morning coffee..

[Gee]

What lovely words Olla :)
Thank you for dropping by

[olla]

it was my pleasure.. your poetry is well worth a visit..

[Wild Rose]

Ah it rained for you yesterday and brought back memories of mum

My mum left in 1978 to live in NZ > they wanted us to go with them NZ had nothing to offer
So we stayed here
Ma in law came to stay with us in 1988
She stayed until 2000
Twenty years, gone by
Her memories are still with us
I sometimes see her image on the sofa
Her wispy grey curls; tortoiseshell finish specs
Her smile the red dress

Then she fades away

Until her next visit

[Gee]

It's nice folk can relate to these words and they bring back memories.
Thank you.
Hope you are keeping well .

[Wild Rose]

Going in the right direction > Tablet strength reduced after yesterdays blood test

[Gee]

Onwards and upwards:)

[Papaya]

such a touching poem, Gee
there were faces i tried very hard to forget because of one sort of pain or another
but those who we loved and were loved by should never be forgotten
even as memories fade we keep them captured within the frames

[Gee]

You are so right :))
Thanks Ana

[moog-drika]

I always wish either I die before my family or we all live forever. It's really really hard to move on with memories and like you said,
"as if my love wasn't deep seated enough
to carry her with me through the rest of my life,
as her love carried me through mine, and this saddens me greatly,
has tears welling... "
I feel the same. I am a very weak person.
However, I really love the poem. It stirred my emotions.

[Gee]

Thank you kindly moog

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked the poem my friend. Us, who love to write. Keep the kind people alive, we have known in our words and thoughts. A worthwhile poem shared.
Coyote

[Gee]

Thank You Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[emmajoy]

'I smiled to myself, thought of mum and
how she always commented on our "good genes"
age defying genes she said, but mums do don't they.
In her eyes I did no wrong, and if I did, well,
she never let on verbally but could never disguise the truth in her eyes.'

Tis almost fourteen years since - I filled my then home with frames of a face that meant the world to me, to my birth family, In my now home, the photos are fewer but.. there are reminders in every room, nd even in the downstairs shower room, one amongst a fancy dress party when little mum came as Granny with a Hat on.. and what a hat!

There has to be an empty sill, an empty shelf, an often sunlit peaceful place waiting to be filled with the hint of a smile, or a look that says, 'Time to fill this space.. it's mine, yours - ours, Do it now, right now!! ' There's always time to remember - just peep over and nod or give a wink... better still, smile. Please. I know the taste of those tears.. ..

[Gee]

You are of course right ma'am, a few well placed snaps will no doubt help.
Thank you as always for reading and commenting, you are very much appreciated.
Hope you are keeping well.

[emmajoy]

Your words are even more beautiful than when first posted, Gee.. Understand this feeling, even not knowing how yours must be.

[Gee]

Thank you..