helping mom

.

05-27-13

helping mom
pick out daddy’s clothes
his nicest jacket
shirt and tie
— a spritzy handkerchief —
oh dear
she said
an almost smile
while
we tried out
different styles —
whenever we went out
he’d always groan
and always say
Do I *have* to wear a tie?

 

.

afraid the sorrow

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afraid the sorrow
was fading
I found scribbled notes today
neatly folded in my purse —

a list of daddy’s lodges
where he was born
mama’s handwriting: clothes

notes from the funeral home
notes for the memorial
notes for the public death notice
notes on what to bring

I remember thinking
I have to do this right
it’s one of the last things
I can do for dad

and I know now
not to be afraid
the sorrow hasn’t faded
and quite possibly
may never end

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