The Poetry Marathon

Once we were just friends
Though it seems so long ago
Our laughter was contagious
Our happiness on overflow.

Once we were great lovers
Our passion rivaled the gods
We reveled in our differences
And loved against all odds.

Once we were excellent partners
Our base was absolute trust
Our disagreements vanished quickly
Our mutual respect transcended lust.

Now two children later
Our differences have sprung anew
We both keep one eye open
In hopes of a better view.

Despite it all one memory remains
And constantly does offend
We were so very happy once
Once when we were just friends.

She is old
Ninety-three last Friday
Slow and not too steady on her feet
Moving quickly toward a finish line
In a race that’s sure to deplete
My soul.

She reaches for my hand
And I take it
Careful not to squeeze too tight
Wishing I was an expert
At hiding and taking flight
From what I know is soon to be.

She knows
I know
It won’t be long
This woman who always put me first
And stood so strong
No matter how dire the circumstance.

Sometimes when she doesn’t recognize me
My fragile feelings shatter
But knowing she always loves me
Makes nothing else important
Makes nothing else matter.

Until the end I’ll be by her side
Caring for her as best I can
After that, I don’t know where I’ll be
Without my mother to carry me
Through the darkness that’s sure to come.

1. I wrote my first poem at the age of 10. It was about a prize fight I sneaked out of bed to watch, peeping from behind our living room sofa, smugly content in my transgressions. The poem poured from me the next day and I was convinced it was a masterpiece. I was proud; so proud i wanted to show it to everyone, including my Mother. Bad idea. After much interrogation and my tearful confession, I was banished to my bedroom.  The poem was forgotten and so were my dreams of literary fame.

Now, years later, I’m finally trying again. Short stories are my favorite. A novel is my goal.  But poetry will always be my first love.