by Jo Curtain
her heart was quietly failing
as the light moved across
the white walls
her hands.
she laid supine in bed seeking peace.
her life no longer her own
she had given over her name, her clothes,
her history and her body.
a victim of government efficiency,
she was a nobody.
I watched as she sank out of sight
crying for 40 days and 40 nights
until she was under water and unresponsive.
I couldn’t think, I couldn’t sleep
I never knew dying took so long.
I sat beside her,
forbidden from holding her hand.
her heart pumping golden poison
my own opening and closing
whispering an ocean of love.
she was my Mum
silently passing over the mountain of sorrow
I sat with her as she was greeted
by the breath of death.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jo Curtain is currently studying Creative Writing at Deakin University. She is an emerging writer of short stories and poetry. She has a background in family violence advocacy and case management. She lives with her family in Torquay, Victoria.
Marumi Smith
This life change experience must have provided the author urge of expression of her own existential exploration over the years.
I love each word she chose, and the whole world of this poem, that captured the author’s experience in immeasurable sorrow, anxiety, and dismay.
Energy of this poem is an eternal requiem to her mum, the author and the following generation, forever being cherished. Poetry lives forever…especially a beautiful one like this piece.
Jo Curtain
Thank you for taking the time to read my poem Marumi and your thoughtful feedback. It is much appreciated. Jo 🙂