My Mom passed on Sunday afternoon
my brother and I didn’t know
the truth…

I heard the truth
can’t be borrowed

I encouraged my brother
to go together to my Mom’s house
to learn
the truth

we had received several messages from our eldest brother
one of mom is failing…
come now

to one
mom passed

We arrived as the police did
We were told –
the other brother and sister
weren’t allowed in the house

as the eldest brother
Power of Attorney
forbid it

I simply and clearly
effectively
told the policeman
that is my mother inside
I am her daughter
I need to see her

And I did
as I knelt next to her
covered body
on the floor of her bedroom

did the police want to enter

I asked if they would grant me time alone
with my mother

my other brother
joined me

they closed the door
respecting our wishes

I prayed the Hail Mary
I told her I loved her
and thanked her
for my life

She lay on the floor
my cousin had swept
the Wednesday night before
She lay on the clean comforter I placed on her bed
She lay under
the beautiful sheet I had made her bed
that Wednesday night before

I had been able
to wash her face
with a warm cloth and soap
put moisturizer on both her face and hands

a face that looked like one
of a 6 year old going to school

I held her face in my hands
looked into her eyes
so she could see what I said

As her faulty hearing aides
only aided her silent world

To tell her I loved her
and would see her again soon

She lay in peace, that Sunday
in her beautiful home
as she wished

I too, now
live
in
peace

Giselle