[Critique Group 2] FW: prose poem for critique grp2 3-30-23

[Valerie Moreno]

___
spiritwind at pmpmail.com
___
Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
 -St. Francis Of Assisi

Original Message: 
From: Valerie Moreno <spiritwind at pmpmail.com>
To: Valerie Moreno <spiritwind at pmpmail.com>
Subject: prose poem for critique grp2 3-30-23
Date: 
Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:45:52 -0600

Silhoette


Valerie Moreno





In the morning I have her 


Coffee and toast ready.


8:00 AMbrings birdsong,

I make eggs as she asks

"What are you having for 

dinner tonight?"



She asks this every morning--

"It's only 8:00, Mom," I answer

as pain seeps through my insides, anxiety's

calling card.

I clean up, help her to the chair or 

hospital bed set in the livingroom.

I'm commanded to do laundry,

vacuum--when can I slip away

to close myself in the bathroom,

ask God to help me cope for 

the next 30 minutes.



She's my mother, I sense death 

creeping closer each day.

We don't talk about it,

just the shopping list, how she wants things 

organized in the fridge and freezer.



I love her--her refusal of more help

crushes my soul, my life as wife, mom 

and person. Silence slaps the passing hours with

taunting realization that slices reason 

to bits.



I don't regret the caregiving,

but she shut all serious expression of feelings

tight within a vault of denial.

We are stuck in this play of 
normalcy as pain and fear cause
my hands to shake as I force back tears,
not wanting their torrant to
become a tsunami of sorrow.
___
spiritwind at pmpmail.com
___
Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
 -St. Francis Of Assisi