In memoriam card
My mum past away 2 years ago. It was Covid time and I was not able to go back to the Netherlands to say goodbye as the country was locked. That was quite hard. My mum was not the general mum. When I was young most were stay at home mums. My mum worked 6 days a week in our shop and had 4 children. So you can imagen that she couldn't really dedicate herself to us. She did the best she could with what she had. We always had a good Christmas and we went on holiday together. She was the one who always kept the family together. Later on she tried to make up for lost time. The following poem I wrote for her memoriam card.
My mum and her 4 children |
In Memoriam
Clouds drift along the horizon
We wander restlessly.
a beacon has disappeared
You who showed us the way
You who brought us home
You who gave the word family power
like the sea pushes the waves
like the sky carries the birds
The water is calm now
The power has sunk
in the depth of the sea
The birds do not fly today
The air is empty without you
and filled with our tears
The sweat breath of the wind
still whispers your words
Music of a bygone era
Words that will be re-used as seeds
to grow and flourish in us
to fill the void
just like the reflection of your light
and the echo of your smile
the gift you gave when
someone brought you flowers
or when we rejoiced you
with our presence
Now there is only the rhythm of rest
in which you have descended forever
A beautiful tribute, Marja... The birds do not fly today - the sense of loss comes through vividly.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much beauty in the melancholy
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet and complete message to put in your card. I claim this phrase as favorite,
ReplyDelete"the gift you gave when
someone brought you flowers."
That give was her smile and possibly a sweet "Thank you".
I still remember being so very sad, still am somewhat. My feeling, and yours, "I've ALWAYS had a mother and now I have none.
Jim
..
Such a sweet and complete message to put in your card. I claim this phrase as favorite,
ReplyDelete"the gift you gave when
someone brought you flowers."
That give was her smile and possibly a sweet "Thank you".
I still remember being so very sad, still am somewhat. My feeling, and yours, "I've ALWAYS had a mother and now I have none.
Jim
..
Very beautifully written, and the feeling is palpable.
ReplyDelete" … like the sea pushes the waves / like the sky carries the birds …" how aptly you describe the forces of nature that are our mothers.
ReplyDeleteLove the heart and tears in this - especially the line - The air is empty without you - lovely poem
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - lovely poem and such an honorary tribute to your beloved mother ... I love the idea of 'Words that will be re-used as seeds - to grow and flourish ...' and then 'Now there is only the rhythm of rest - in which you have descended forever'. Beautifully told ... thank you for sharing with us ... with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteA smile can be the greatest gift. This made me think of my mother's when I'd bring her in a cut rose or bouquet of flowers from her garden.
ReplyDelete"The power has sunk
in the depth of the sea
The birds do not fly today"
Your poem made me think of Auden's poem in memory of Yeats.
That was very moving. A lovely tribute.
ReplyDelete"The air is empty without you
ReplyDeleteand filled with our tears" Beautiful words for a beloved mom.
A beautiful tribute indeed. Wonderful words of warmth, love and loss straight from your lovely heart.
ReplyDeleteAnna
We do the best we can and pray for our families. 🩵
ReplyDeleteThat's hard to lose Mother. When my mother died , two major appliances suddenly stopped working (fridge and air conditioner). I wrote in her memory prose and poems in three languages, as I had many thoughts about her that I wished to express.
ReplyDelete"The air is empty without you" sums up the feelings of all those who've lost their mother.
No matter how old one is, it's never pleasant to be an orphan!
ReplyDelete...the lost of loved ones is often painful, but during the pandemic made those losts harder. I hope that you find peace.
ReplyDelete"You who gave the word family power"
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to your mum.
A Lovely tribute to your Mother
ReplyDeleteMost definitely heart-felt. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA heartfelt tribute undoubtedly. Mother's are always precious. Even their memory is.
ReplyDeleteStraight from the heart. This is so beautifully written, a wonderful tribute.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous poem Marja. You certainly are a wordsmith my friend. "like the sea pushes the waves, like the sky carries the birds".
ReplyDeleteLove you mate.
Peggy xxxxx