I saw the light leave her eyes
She’d been ill for such a time
My tears I could not disguise
Always believing
To have the strong shoulder
As year by year
Mother grew older
Cancer rendered her death
As I watched her breathe
Her last breath
Always believing
To lend the helping hand
My legs were weak
I could barely stand
In that final moment
I came to realize
For years I’d hidden
Behind Mother’s skirt
Hoping no one could see
I was afraid of life
And how easy
My heart could be hurt
Now I’d have to go it alone
As Mother went
To her eternal home
Time to grow up by choice
For Mother no longer
Had a voice


Copyright Linda L. Chew, 04/17/08