She stopped talking just before Christmas several years ago Her decision did not seem riddled by desperation or depression In fact, she seemed content with her silence Quite sound and empowered She continued to show signs of affection and warmth All and all she was her warm and loving self. |
| One winter's day she took her favorite rocking chair and Dragged it carefully down the hall to her special room Of books, sentimental trinkets, crystals in the windows She stayed there for hours and hours Listening to time worn musical CD’s And perusing photo albums of days long past. |
| She had written a letter to her daughter with whom she lived Explaining her choice to no longer talk With apology she wrote about seeking Peace and quiet And reconciliation with her maker She promised to write down her thoughts and requests. |
| A family meeting had been called to discuss This unfortunate turn of events Had she gone over the edge Was she to be sent to a hospital What about the holidays and guests Her daughter allayed all their fears. |
| She knew how sensitive her mother was Understood her needs in her remaining years A room with sunshine through the windows Was set up for painting and writing A wicker chair with a flowered chintz cushion Was carefully placed near her mother’s easel. |
| It was her daughter’s hope that in this room Her mother would softly speak Talk about her memories and What she would like to eat or do It took some time and effort Hours of silence and an open heart. |
| She ate her meals with the family Clapping her hands quietly and briefly at the end of the repast She always removed her own dishes And tidied the counter and sink She would water the African violets on the sill Everyone adjusted very well. |
| One day the daughter brought her mother A fresh bouquet of flowers from the garden her mother loved She placed the flowers on a small table covered with a linen cloth Her mother was quietly painting, listening to Classical music as she worked at a watercolor painting of flowers As her daughter leaned down to give her mother a kiss, a small voice said “Stay..." |
| Then they talked together of days gone by and her mother’s needs. "I would love to go for a ride in the car A long drive in the woods Maybe see some water or streams” They embraced one another And the daughter said “Yes.” |
| They went to a pond and some woods And stepped out of the car to the sweet smelling air Loons floated on the water nearby Their lonely calls beckoning The water kissed the shore Both women smiled and understood. |
| On the way back they stopped for ice cream The daughter ordered chocolate knowing her mother’s favorite Together they sat at a table and exchanged thoughts and quiet laughter The mother’s grey/white hair moved slightly in the breeze A tear fell down the side of her face She looked at her daughter, saying “thank you," then softly “I love you.” |
| SWM March, 2010 |