You part the sea in a ship
To let the people home,
To let you, the viewer decide
That all roads lead to Rome.
You know a song Elvis sung
You know how to switch the computer on
You know the speed of light
The French for good is “bon”
Your head is full of such info
They stick inside your head
Facts about living matter
Much of it long dead.
You know Jesus died on a cross,
That the letter d follows c,
That George Bush is a President
The Titanic was lost at sea.
I know how to change a barrel
What act I’ve booked for next week,
How many bats hide in my outhouse
That Earth was never inherited by the meek.
Info inside my mind won’t go away
And I suppose if it did I would cry
As I did about my mother
Years before she finally died.
She forgot a lot of things,
Like how to spell yellow or blue.
Soon she was in a hospital bed
Saying to me “who are you?”
She did not know about Moses
Those brain cells were not there,
She did not know about Jesus
Or how to climb a stair.
Soon she just lay there
Looking aimlessly and dumb
And I was beginning to get bored
At visiting my dear old Mum.
One day they phoned up my pub
Told me mother had passed away
I felt she had died years before
And felt nothing much that day.
I hope where-ever she is now
She has regained her brain
And that she remembers where Rome is
Once again.
Oh if ever I lose my mind
Let no-one visit my silent bed
For I will be no longer with the world
When I am near brain-dead.
I cry now when I think of you
And grow so very numb,
I never told you how much I loved you
My lovely Mum.
Now I stand by a plaque
Up in a cold windy crem.
And I can’t even think of a rhyme
To give this poem a clever end.
Thank you Mother for all you gave
I love you, I really do,
Can I say anything else standing here
But God bless you.
I change the flowers in the pot
I feel so cold inside
I hope to see you again
When I too have died.
Thank you mother for everything
The sun, the sea, the sky.
I cannot say anything else now
For I am about to cry.
Goodbye Mother, goodbye.
—
Tiffy Witherington.
Comments (54)
what an awesome poem!
thanks for stopping by my site. How did you come by your xanga name? It’s delightful!
Oh my gosh, that is the sweetest poem. So sad and so true. It’s sad when the mind goes before the body. I just want to go completely if I don’t have my mind anymore. I would never want anyone to feel guilty at not visiting me if I am not even there. I am so sorry for your grief. I think that poem really tells a sweet story and how much you loved your mom (or mum).
MiLord…what an array of emotions you have shown us here through Tiffy Witherington…I have read twice….and I am now crying…you leave me this day …very speechless…
Well, I wanted to tell Tiffy how much I loved her poem (did you know she was my intro to you?), so thanks for letting us know the tribute was here.
You don’t find offenses heaped on you personal and you don’t go out of your way to make sure you go back to blogs and raise all kinds of hell? Nothing personal in my new ring, its a ring where seniors can stick together, for each other and work at saying the right things to abusers. If you find that offensive, which I can’t imagine how you could, what can I say. You know damn well, you belong in the ring so, trash one of those you have and join it, please. You do see the word “please”. Why is it, you make me do this? You do make me so mad sometimes and that is personal.
Such a poem is of the content anyone would be proud to write for and about their mother. Really perfect and lovely, Tiffy,
it really is.
A very touching and emotional poem. Does it have a title at all? not that it needs one.
Touching sweet… peace.
Hello…kind of a boring day for me, so I thought to look around at other sites. i enjoy meeting new people, especially from other states and county’s. i think it is fun and interesting, it allows you to learn a lot. and you are able to make a few new friends. never hurt’s to make new friends. i hope that your summer has been going good for you and that you enjoy the rest of it. stop by and say hello whenever you have the time. props to you on your page. till then take care. *~Mai
This is a very sweet poem, truely written from the heart.
::sniff:: …made me feel quite sad too.
I love my mom. I am glad she is still around and I can enjoy her sometimes, seemingly, endless chattering. She is a sweetie and she is my wonderful mom. One day she will be gone and I will miss her terribly.
Sometimes (a lot of times) I look back and it makes my heart hurt, really hurt. There are so many things I would do and many things I wish I hadn’t done. Now I am old and I realize you forgive your kids a lot and you tend to remember the sweet things about them, not the nasty or bad. So, Tiffy, Mom hears you and you can bet you’ll be in her arms within moments of seeing her again. Nice to hear from you again.
LP, it is true that some nursery directors think the nursery is about constant cleanliness, doing your paperwork as ordered and on time and such. Those nurseries are geared more for the adults than for the babies. I don’t want to know what the nursery where I was head teacher is like now. Part of the reason I was fired is because I took up the battle to get a baby’s eyes examined by a specialist. I also made it clear that given a choice between scubbing down the nursery and rocking a baby, there was no contest. They knew where I stood and they knew I might listen, but I would go back to…the babies come first. Also I worked with my moms for some of them were just babies themselves. Sure, it took a bit of time, but they needed to know how to be moms themselves.Even now I will see some of my mommies out shopping and they always have time to give me an update on their children. I was not the only one who practiced with this code. Most of the others did as well. I had one aide who insisted on cleaning.. cleaning…cleaning and rarely held a baby. That was the only time I lodged a complaint against a fellow employee. Oh, my, I did not want to write a manual, but anyone who reads this and is thinking of daycare for their children, I would be glad to give them guidelines to watch for.
My wee ones, the Sarahs, are flighty…but they are fun, dontcha know. They keep us Xangers from taking ourselves too seriously.
Being published is not about fame nor is it about riches. It’s about reaching people and helping them.
Very reflective and caused me to think of the ones who I sat beside…Alzeheimers,stroke,cancer…though they no longer could communicate or recall details I knew they knew I was there until it was time for them to totally leave…nice piece
blessings,
beckon
Good-bye mother, good-bye father
Good-bye everyone we love.
Yes, very good-bye indeed.
I hope it’s heaven.
But at least it’s rest.
TV is as ‘interactive’ as a book is. Imagination is an ‘activity’. Just ask any kid. But not while they’re pushin’ buttons.
Sorry, but that last comment was regarding your comment on my other page, paison_de_moot.
fantastically well written! a few props to that
Oh gosh, so beautiful. You made me cry with it.
i enjoyed the poem. hampsteronmyhead’s xanga site has some things about people leaving. its just sort of connected in my mind.
anyway, keep writing
-ja
this world can be a cold and lonely place when we lose connections, it seems a crime to lose the ones who make this a better place to exist
i pictured an emotional crumble as the poem reaches end. like a helpless loner bouncing into late night brick allies. a sort of falling. it may of come in accident, but it’s there nonetheless, and effective. Alzeihmers is a cruel sickness.
that poem is depressing. you know my biggest fear is losing consciousness. or to like … have my consciousness obliterated. that’s why i like to believe in life after death. thinking about just being no more scares the crap out of me.
U write the best prose
That poem goes as well for those mothers who have lost their ability to think as they once did as it does to those who have lost their ability to feel. Infinite Blessings
I’ve just returned from visiting my mother who is almost 92. Her vision’s gone and her hearings not so good. It’s awful to lose your wits but to have the world walled off and still have a sharp mind is also very sad.
Excellent header art, Mr. Pineapple. Mine is somewhat shite.
well now, I have tears in my eyes — on this lovely July morning.
I just surfed over while at school. My grandmother would never know if I changed my vacation plans. She hasn’t communicated in ages. But she did pass on last night after I spent some time with her and could see that she actually recognized me for a while. It gave me the chance to say goodbye.
That’s beautiful…
that poem is really touching.written from the heart.it’s a sweet poem. props for it.
Simply poignant.
-Saint-
DANIELVSPIKACHU 10:25 PM
blackcat69 10:16 PM
iBABYGL0RiA 12:34 PM
Olympix2004 8:57 PM
LordPineapple 1:35 PM
more featured content
Man, you know write a sad poem with a touch of bittersweet in it.
Very nicely done, Tiffy.
Terry, I have been so busy and have missed talking to you. I haven’t even written a formal welcome to the new ring but, I want to tell you I am so glad you joined it and for any and all support you give to me.
Best regards and much love,
PS, congrats on the featured content. YOu deserve it.
a lot of people know a lot of things. but there is one thing i don’t understand, and that is how somebody can litter on a highway.
-h
a very beautiful remembrance of your mother, including the loss of her memory, and how difficult that was, and remembering everything she was before that, and remembering how much you love her, I was deeply touched, and will remember you through this poem for your honouring of her, thank you for sharing, thank you for sharing
this poem reminds me of my great grams’ condition =(
that’s not cool .. but it’s life, and it was an awesome poem. the author had to of given a lot of thought to it .. or maybe it just came naturally to her. I don’t know, haha. but great poem =] .
Nice, very nice. Reminds me of my momma and how whe went home. I miss her.
wow thats deep…very good, wish my rhymes were that good, with that emotion and that clear of a message and moral. Im learnin (though my poetry is a bit….different lol sall good though) keep it up not many good poets out there, oh and copywrite that and find someone to publish it, those should be shared with everyone (heh you never know, there might be an English class studying your poems…)
i came upon your site and that poem touches me.
WhoaA your the oldest person I have seen on xanga, unless that a fake birthdate. By the way nice poem.
random propz!! C=
howdy. this is the first time (or the first time that I am aware) that one my buddies was listed as featured content. congrats! and thanks for the many great reads.
congratz!:
<TABLE class=left cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=”100%” border=1>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TH class=left vAlign=top>Featured Content
<TR>
<TD class=left vAlign=top>JuliaLee 5:17 PM
LDY_anonymous 1:18 PM
A_n_n_i_e_e 11:58 AM
blackcat69 12:36 PM
LordPineapple 1:35 PM
more featured content
That was so wonderful and touching.
Just dropped by…nice site
.
caught u on featured..congrats
n can u prop… http://www.xanga.com/gangstah_tears ?
That was beautiful…Now excuse me while I go call my mom and tell her I love her.
This poem reminds me of my father-he’s so paranoid that he’s losing his memory. Dad is fucking genius but never could seem to adapt to life in the real world. Now he’s afraid he’s going to lose his facts, too.
I am ever amazed at how your words continue to touch my soul…and i am not tiffed at any of your personalities…i have simply been away from home…
Wow! I cant say anything right now… brb
Cya
wow… that is an amazing poem… i am going thru the same thing with my grandfather. he used to be the smartest person ever- if u had a problem, he would have the solution way before u ever asked! anything u needed help with, he was the first one to volunteer to help… he was sooo awesome. but now his mind has almost all but passed him by. and now, he hardly knows who my grandmother is (they have been married for 55+ years…). this poem really touched me, i am almost in tears….
absolutely gorgeous poem. keep up the good writing. thanks….