This Poem was Submitted By: Kenneth R. Patton On Date: 2007-06-04 07:46:57 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!
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The Decision
My mother lay dying
after a stroke
semi-conscious in the hospital
The decision was made
to take her home
She nodded in agreement
Just then her only Great-granddaughter
was brought in
and placed on the bed
She babbled to my Mom
in one year old baby speak
bringing smiles all around
“Say hello to Grammaâ€
we cooed
“Say hello to Grammaâ€
The child looked at us with startling
clarity, raised her little hand
then turning to my mother
waved goodbye
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Copyright © June 2007 Kenneth R. Patton
Additional Notes:
They say children know, the older I get the less I scoff.
It was a moment I'll never forget.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2007-07-07 19:06:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
oh my God Kenneth...how powerful an experience this must have been..through the eyes of the child we can all find such clarity..you have told the story with conversational style so well and I think it did justice to it. This is not something that needs anything more than the experience itself, plain and poignant. thank you for sharing this powerful and spiritual experience with me..bless you
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2007-07-05 15:02:54
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.95455
Ken,
I've dragged my feet on critiquing this one because I just didn't know what to say. I found it a most enjoyable read, easy flowing and very thought provoking. All I guess I can say in referrence to subject matter is that each person will have to let their own heart guide them as will you. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, you honor us.
Best always,
Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2007-06-28 02:37:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ken this poem is so very well written, shared emotional closing of one door as they say and the opening of yet another. My computer holds a picture of my own mom, age 92, when she laid dying here in Tully. She too had the opportunity to meet her newest great grandson when my niece placed her newborn son in my mother's arms. Mom's blue eyes lit up with such pride and little Zachary gave out one single cry before grabbing hold of her very thin finger..........The love that shinned in mom's eyes are forever in my mind.........how proud your mom felt and I am certain the babble between them was worth more then anyone could know. I too believe children are born with a gift of love from above, they see and feel things differently then we adults do and it is amazing to watch them as they see and talk to the angels that play with them every day. Well written , well presented with the choice of your words and the images are superb. Thanks and please know I am sorry of your mom's passing but I might add she is so much happier and whole now that she is in God's Heavenly Garden where she is free of pain and sickness. God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2007-06-26 17:52:31
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Kenneth,
Experiencing my own mothers death recently, I know this is a rough time with you. Your poem is a nice reflection, a memory you will hold dear to you in years to come. This has an angelic tone to it, and the reder can feel the moment as it happened. I was witness to "a sense of knowing", while in the hospice with my mother.
I'm relating to your poem - and through sadness I believe the baby did know - that would be their last meeting on earth.
No matter how often I think of my mother, or how much time I did get to spend with her, this process makes me feel like it was never enough - never enough time with her.
I hope you are coming along well - and this write was heartfelt - a good post.
sincerely,
Denimari
This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2007-06-15 08:50:24
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
What a memory in life one that I am glad you shared for it brings clarity to what it is all about. Life, death and the cycle of what will continue. This is what you gave this reader. Well done.
Thanks for sharing. Also appreciate the note showing that this did occur.
This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2007-06-09 14:48:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: Unknown
Hi Ken....the ending of this poem gave me chills up my spine. I think it is true that children are much more in tune with their surroundings and they know more than we ever give them credit for. How a one year old could possibly know she would never see her great-grandmother again is beyond me...but she did. It certainly was a moment of clarity and it will never be forgotten by the people in that room. Many things have happened to me in my life to make me certain there is a higher power that watches over us always. You have penned this piece very well.
My best....Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2007-06-08 01:17:22
Critiquer Rating During Critique: Unknown
Kenneth,
How poignant this is. Children are so perceptive, with their minds clear of decisions/rules/emotions
they are able to view clearly.
This is amazing, and yes she seemed to 'know'.
This gives us all a bit of hope of all the mystery that we are unaware of.
Your writing takes one down the road of release so gently, it is a blessing.
And to be able to die at home is such a wonderful gift you gave her.
I am pleased you shared this with me and I find it to be uplifting and yet sad.
You were so kind to let us[me] experience this moment.
This is what poetry is for, to connect us all as children of God.
Thank you.
Dellena
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