Mother Poem by James Hart

My mother died last week
Actually it was the week before
Felt nothing really very much
Quite numb and quite unmoved
Another of life’s little occurrences
Only saw her really cry once
The day after her father died
A massive heart attack at 75
My mother had the BIG “C” though
The BIG “C” she had always dreaded
She lay shrunk on the bed
Hating the thought of dying
In hospital and wanting to go home
She said not saying if home
Meant down here on earth or up there in heaven
Either way she wanted out
And that dissatisfaction marked her life
No speeches at the end
No fond farewells, no signing off
No ceremony, just silence
No resounding hymn singing to lift her up
As she had enjoyed when she was young
Just a silent dissatisfaction that sprung from envy
That others had what she felt she deserved
A woman of many virtues yes
But willing victim of many a vice.