I Missed My Mother's Birthday

I Missed Your Birthday

January 16th came and went without pause.
You aren’t here, so I forgot your birthday.
So close to Christmas, presents were usually unsurprising
or undesired frivilousness. Chocolate was not an option
in the later years; you’d lost whatever ‘sweet tooth’ you had.
I’m not sure when you lost your desire to live. You seemed
so happy after Father’s difficult passing on. You struck out on you own:
bought a condo, a new car, and travelled. Then it was gone too soon,
losing your grip on happiness. I think you were lonely as all your friends
had left this earth or lived thousands of miles away. You went when you
couldn’t hold on any longer; what you were holding on for, I will never know.
Maybe you wanted to tell me ‘your secret’. I wish you had.
Then I could give you the best birthday present ever,
my forgiveness and my love forever.


© 2018 Catherine Woods