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Mother Ship Is Down Maureen
by Don Matley
Not sure how soon you hear the news up there, or wherever you hang out;
But I must tell you Mom is gone to join you.
Thank god you are there to greet her
As with Dad and you, I was there when her breath stopped and her sails drooped
My god how desolate when the fleet is bereft of its rock and soul
The heart of the voyage is arrest in doldrums
It seems of little purpose going on
Even if a stiff wind comes up.
Her proud majesty and greatness become clear even in the fog of her absence
Her timbers will rattle and creak and pitch no more in the whitecaps of Parkinsonism and Shingles
Tell her sis, that the rest of her convoy is now in safe harbour
Thanks to her strength and guidance
And tell her I forgive her for washing my university jacket, making me look like frosh rather than fresh;
And for heaven’s sake (pardon the double entendre) tell her to wear those damned hearing aids or I will really volley a shot across her bow!
Lastly, please both of you come and assail me with your haunts.
03/14/2011 Author's Note: Mom was a well-weathered and very wise craft at age 92 and wanted to take harbour.
Posted on 03/14/2011
Copyright © 2025 Don Matley
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 03/15/11 at 05:27 AM This is beautiful, just beautiful. I love the last line especially. My grandma is 92 this year. I can only hope she is greeted by such kind souls as these. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/26/11 at 07:00 PM OM goodness Don. So sorry to read this, please accept my deepest condolences. You're on my favorites list and just thought I'd check in today to see if you had posted anything new. Now that Maureen is gone, I haven't kept in touch with the family. I lost my own mother in October 2009. I'm glad Maureen had the opportunity to meet her at least once. PS: Really like the harbor/ship analogy you use to express your thoughts here. Will say a prayer for everyone. |
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