Mother's Smile Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

How vivid her quick smile,
full years could not erase
the memory.
The smile she woke me with,
from midday naps.

Today they soothe
and come when clouds
and squalls of strife pass through.

An anchor has been forged
between the bed, so small back then
and any time I rest my aging head,
never alone, she seems to hover
unobtrusively, nearby, for me
upon my signal, in a heartbeat
her ready smile will come
like genie from the bottle
and sit right on my pillow,
with not a single word.

The miles have now outdone
even the years, and I do wonder
if there is sadness on her face,
perhaps some unshed tears.

So very soon I will just stand there
like the boy inside his cot
there at your grave, in awe
and, just like him, be
waiting for your smile.