Each day that passes
she dies, a little more.
With trembling hands
clasps her mirror.
Winces, switches it round
to the forbidden side,
the side that magnifies.
Sees a lifetime
flash before her.
The gangling schoolkid –
pigtails all-awry,
the blonde bombshell
who won hearts and minds
dressed in cap and gown,
the bouffant-haired bride –
bouquet of columbine.
Half opens a drawer, fingers
her brush and comb.
Sighs as she shuts it again.
A tasselled scarf snatched
from the back of a chair –
green with blue stripes,
deftly winds it turban style
around her head,
quite adept she’d become.
She pinches her cheeks
but the pallor remains.
‘No apples today then?’
With a smile she recalls
her Mother’s words.
‘Look on the bright side.
Life’s a bitch sometimes,
but it don’t last for ever.’
Quite a comedian, her Mum.
Maybe a dab or two of rouge
Yes. A touch of red
would see her through.
Comments
tamara (not verified) | August 24, 2008 - 20:51
This is magnificent.
Silver Spun Sand | August 24, 2008 - 20:53
Thank you Tamara. It is a poem that wrote itself. It is about my daughter and it means much to me that you got something from it.
Tina
phleggers | August 24, 2008 - 21:06
The line 'each day that passes she dies a little more' is very powerful. Personally, I could not write something like that about my daughter. I'm not sure whether to pat you on the back or offer you parental advice!
Silver Spun Sand | August 24, 2008 - 22:48
Just to explain, I sincerely hope you never do have to write anything like this about your daughter. My daughter died on New Year's Eve, 2007, at 39 years old, after fighting a rare, and particularly cruel form of cancer for 20 years. If you'd like to know more about it, read 'Fireworks in the Snow'. It says it all and more.
My thanks to you for reading.
Tina
Dan Ryder | August 24, 2008 - 22:54
what a beautiful tribute, i'm glad i got to read it.
phleggers | August 25, 2008 - 05:10
Your work is truly wonderful and I'm humbled by your words and your honesty. Thanks very much. Keep wrting!
Silver Spun Sand | August 26, 2008 - 22:29
Dan - thank you, and phleggers, I am humbled by your words.
Tina