Mary! So nice to see you. 🤗 Happy New Year to you. I've made it through the first round of holidays without my mom, and I know you understand what a milestone that is. I feel like I could write a whole book of poems - about her, about us, about dementia, about her death.... but every once in a while one just bubbles up and insists I write it NOW! This one was like that. Thinking about you and your journey and your bravery in writing about it. You are an inspiration, and a lovely friend. 💕
Tara, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Having lost my own mom, I understand it as a unique kind of loss. She was the first person in your life, and no matter how loving or challenging the relationship, it’s tough to see her go. I’m glad to hear that the writing is going well. My belief is that whenever poetry strikes, it’s good to have a notebook handy. Thinking about you, too. My best to you in the New Year.🫶
Thanks, LeeAnn. You're right about the precision. I feel like I remember that whole night, but of course it was many hours long. But the parts that stay with me are very specific, very detailed. Memory is a funny thing.
I can hear, smell, feel the ER around you in this poem, even though you don't describe it. I'm not to the stage of life of going to the ER with my parents yet-- but many trips with small children. There's a kind of inevitability about it that this poem captures. Thank you for this beautiful poem.
Oof. That ending. I'm with LeeAnn--what precise images. This played out in front of my eyes as I read it.
So delicate in the face of what is not delicate at all ❤️
Thanks so much for reading, Treasa. Much appreciated. 🙏
Beautiful, Tara. So vivid and heartbreaking. Nothing out of place. Thank you. Looking forward to the Public Domain project.
Mary! So nice to see you. 🤗 Happy New Year to you. I've made it through the first round of holidays without my mom, and I know you understand what a milestone that is. I feel like I could write a whole book of poems - about her, about us, about dementia, about her death.... but every once in a while one just bubbles up and insists I write it NOW! This one was like that. Thinking about you and your journey and your bravery in writing about it. You are an inspiration, and a lovely friend. 💕
Tara, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Having lost my own mom, I understand it as a unique kind of loss. She was the first person in your life, and no matter how loving or challenging the relationship, it’s tough to see her go. I’m glad to hear that the writing is going well. My belief is that whenever poetry strikes, it’s good to have a notebook handy. Thinking about you, too. My best to you in the New Year.🫶
This is a lovely poem. The images are so precise that I feel like I’m right there with you.
Thanks, LeeAnn. You're right about the precision. I feel like I remember that whole night, but of course it was many hours long. But the parts that stay with me are very specific, very detailed. Memory is a funny thing.
It is, isn’t it? I spent hours with my dad in the couple months of his life but there are certain moments that stand out so specifically.
This is very moving, thank you 🙏
Thank you, Rob, for reading and reaching out. Much appreciated. 🙏
I can hear, smell, feel the ER around you in this poem, even though you don't describe it. I'm not to the stage of life of going to the ER with my parents yet-- but many trips with small children. There's a kind of inevitability about it that this poem captures. Thank you for this beautiful poem.
Oh Tara, this one is a heartbreaker in the truest possible way. ❤️🩹