Bride and her mother hugging right after the ceremony. Carol Cizauskas and Gene Cizauskas. The Plumas House, Reno, Nevada. Saturday, 12 October 2013. Photo by Lindsey Naima Hemphill, owner of Naima Photography.
Your hands speak of love
As you hold your daughter close
After the wedding.
Twenty years ago
A mother who lost her child
Tried to kill herself.
Now this Mothers’ Day
Death lurking in the doorway,
Eager for her mom.
Cross a continent
To get to mother’s bedside:
Not even possible.
Cowering her self
In a corner from attack:
Memories’ nightmare.
Ladybug landing
On the car window reminds
Her to gratitude.
Purse-strings holder: “No
Funds to see Mom before death.”
Why such cruelty?
Writing the letter
About Mom’s impending death.
And now the waiting.
Bride and her mother, Carol and Gene Cizauskas. Photo by Lindsey Naima Hemphill, owner of Naima Photography. The Plumas House, Reno, Nevada. Saturday, 12 October 2013.
Veil between lifting,
Disappearing in darkness.
Angels, enlighten.
Rubbing in the oil
With her hair, oblivious:
Extravagant love.
Saturday nights long,
Waiting until eyelids close,
Your return awakes.
sixblocksfromthecity 