My Mother

The Ambulance came
And took her away
Terrified despite
My comforting arms
Her bright eyes
Still shine for 83
And behind the fear
She maybe
Remembering her youth
How at 19 she too
Was beautiful
And when a nurse
Passes by, she winks
Maybe its
Her daughter
Coming to visit
Then her eyes close

 Her intellect 
Waxes and wanes
And what appear
To be a smile
Emerge and her
Eyes glazed
Wandering beyond
The ward’s walls
Would she 
Make it 
This time
Oh! how time 
Has passed
Maybe its better
For everyone
Maybe if I go
Then they would
Relax and wouldn’t
Have to beg for
Time off to visit
No husband or wife
To tell my children
You going to visit
Your Mom again?
And wicked time
Drags on
Oh thief!
Of my life

 I remember when
I was there
For my family
My brothers and sisters
And sisters-in-laws
And their children
But today
I don’t see them
Maybe they moved
Maybe they’re 
Too busy
Yes they have
A mortgage, maybe
No baby sitters
By the way
What happened
To the babies
 I used to baby-sit?
Maybe they’re 
Too busy
In School
And my children
Maybe they moved
Maybe they’re busy
Making a living
Maybe my grandson
Will get me
A great grand son
Or grand-daughter
They better hurry
 My bloody tests
Are finished
Now back 
To the Nursing home
Or Prison
Wonder if 
A prison is the 
Same as this place
Do this!
Don’t do this!
Stay there
Don’t move
If I could only talk
I would give 
Orders myself
Like I’m wet!
Change Me!
Feed me!
I need some
Fresh Air
I want
To watch TV
Wrestling ! that’s it
Who is the world
Champion I wonder
I miss that
Gyam! Gyam!
Oh God

 I remember Nabaclis 
Walking in my yard
Picking the ferns
And chrysanthemums
Those 5 finger trees
Are loaded again
This afternoon
I will fry
Breadfruit
In a batter
Of masala
With fish
The children like that
Tomorrow I’ll cook
Dhall and rice
With coconut choka
I like that
Got to find
A dry coconut
Dis gooseberry
Is damn sour!
Oops here comes
The lady in white
Got to rest!
Maybe there would 
Be a tomorrow *


*  Her ‘tomorrows’ ended on the 26th August 1999, she was 83 years old.

~ Norman Datt ~

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