The Easter lily thrown away in the backyard, only to spring to life as my mother begins her journey of passing. Falls Church, Virginia. Monday, 23 June 2014.
What was thrown away
Has burst forth with brilliant life
To give joy and hope.
Skin thin as paper
Folded on my mother’s arm.
My heart breaks with love.
My mother’s arm. Fairfax Nursing Center, Virginia. Sunday, 22 June 2014
The author with her mom when Carol visited to say goodbye. Saturday, 21 June 2014. Falls Church, Virginia.
I sit here by my mother’s bed
While she slowly drifts off,
And quickly drifts off.
The swift sleep comes in this life,
The slow sleep leads her to the next.
Will she dream?
I know not how, or of what.
But I know
Dreams she may have
Will be lifted on angels’ wings
To carry her home,
To carry her home.
It’s like glass breaking,
The crystalline tinkling sound
Of heart chords ending.
My mother’s pearl bracelet, gifted 15 years ago to her only daughter, worn as “Something Old” at her daughter’s wedding. Photo by Lindsey Naima Hemphill, owner of Naima Photography. The Plumas House, Reno, Nevada. Saturday, 12 October 2013.
Genovaite Ambraziejus Cizauskas, my mother. 15 August 2012. Leesylvania State Park, Virginia.
Blue jays’ shrills wake me.
They scream, mother is dying!
Mother is dying.
And we are stardust
Playing in this, our heaven.
Miraculous, all.
Marilyn’s mirror
Shining light onto her light
Reminds me of mine.
Coworker angels
Reached into worn pockets:
Wonderful Life scene.
sixblocksfromthecity 