Holding On Poem by Carolyn Brunelle

The vacancy overwhelms him.

Nothing he knows is there
behind eyes
that once governed hearth and home
with a strength and courage
that stood toe to toe with life.

A devoted mother and wife
inspired as she aged with grace;
carried her share of sorrow
as one by one she said goodbye
to youth, loved ones, and then even herself.
She is the last; all those glory days
disappeared with her into that haze
where this stranger now peers from the fog.

He must summon all the strength and courage
she gave him
for this long, long good bye...
and hold on to all the memories for her.