Mother

When I got the call

Saying you were being choppered in

To the Big Hospital,

 

I have to say I was a bit peeved

As I was just settling in

For the night.

 

I didn’t notice

That all of those resentments

I had nursed over the years

Had evaporated.

I mean, instantaneously.

 

I wish I had known

They were never real.

 

It was quite the experience

In the waiting room that night.

There was nobody there.

The lights were out.

And my head was spinning so fast

I thought it might take off.

 

In between operations,

They let me see you.

So waxen pale, your face

In the sterile

Fluorescent lights.

 

I talked to you, but

You were far, far away.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

It is odd to sit in those moments, isn't it? The clocks tick and the tv hums as of everything is normal. But it isnt. How could it be. I appreciate your talent at taking something so shattering and framing it in such a way that your reader is sitting with you. I'm sorry for your loss if this is nonfictio. And your point about resentment is well taken

[Zugzwang]

Well, you'll be happy to know that it is nonfiction and that my mum is ok now.

I wanted to capture that striking moment and the events, thoughts and pathos leading up to it. There was a bit of poetic license there, but that was the strongest experience for me.
Other stuff was not interesting, like 'I took a month off work and went to the hospital for 10 hours a day' That second when I felt irritation at the inconvenience was also something I wanted to explore, as it has stayed with me all that time.

Anyway, the real ending is happy, I visit often, we hang out and watch mystery dramas (she loves them) and generally have a laugh and eat too much.

And thanks for the review!

[Elizabeth]

You're quite welcome.