She wonders
why she is
still here,
climbing into bed
exhausted
after a long
dinner with
her kids,
laughing
teasing
full of rancor
and silly puns,
scolding and
yarns about
the past, that
only we know
and understand,
while I tuck
her into bed,
she bemoans the
length of her stay
on this planet,
and why she has
endured so long,
while I smile
and tell her in
a very loud whisper
(she cannot hear
without her aids)
why she is
still here,
climbing into bed
exhausted
after a long
dinner with
her kids,
laughing
teasing
full of rancor
and silly puns,
scolding and
yarns about
the past, that
only we know
and understand,
while I tuck
her into bed,
she bemoans the
length of her stay
on this planet,
and why she has
endured so long,
while I smile
and tell her in
a very loud whisper
(she cannot hear
without her aids)
that she must
accept her life
these days,
given as a gift
because I have
no idea of the
answer: SHE IS
HERE BECAUSE
SHE IS HERE,
only God knows
when that
will end,
so until then,
watch the sunrise
and the moon,
breathe deeply
the flowers
of the garden
lush with summer,
eat with relish
and drink with
joy, and feel
your children
love you,
she nods and
closes her eyes:
She is ninety six!
accept her life
these days,
given as a gift
because I have
no idea of the
answer: SHE IS
HERE BECAUSE
SHE IS HERE,
only God knows
when that
will end,
so until then,
watch the sunrise
and the moon,
breathe deeply
the flowers
of the garden
lush with summer,
eat with relish
and drink with
joy, and feel
your children
love you,
she nods and
closes her eyes:
She is ninety six!
©J.W.WINSLOW 7/1/10