Dried or dead

I wrote a poem about my mom, grief, and aging

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friend, hi

I wrote a poem. The original plan was to publish it on Mother’s Day. But I decided to share with you today instead after thinking that it might be too heavy for some on that day.

It’s a poem about my mother, someone I lost to colon cancer when I was only 14. It’s also a poem dedicated to all daughters, all children who lost their mother- especially those who had to experience this confusing and excruciating pain at a young age. Loosing someone- who possibly is the only person in this big universe extends their love beyond our comprehension, can be something both very tragic and traumatic.

I hope you know you’re not alone.

Sasha

My mother and I

i always have a thing for flowers

dried ones

preserved at its peek

my mother always had a thing for flowers

fresh ones

blossoming at its peek

my mother once told me

she wish she would never get old

dried and lifeless

her wish was granted

she died at 49

due to cancer

she looked as if she was 94

dried and lifeless

cancer is a pressure cooker

for time, for age

my memory of her split into two:

one alive and active

preserved at its peek

one still and silent

preserved at its peek

both

beautiful

both

beloved

both

preserved at its peek

in my memory

i have a thing for flowers

dried or dead

dried

dried or dead

dead