Revelation
for my mother
Every Friday, you waited
for me to take you shopping.
You sat in your garage
on my old student chair;
the door was up, and you looked out
into the world with a fixed stare.
Were you ever late for anything?
You were even early for your funeral.
Younger, I used to worry
I’d turn out like you. Now,
I sit by the hotel window,
five minutes before my brother is due,
checking my watch and smiling,
staring at the mirrored sea.
*
Maree Reedman lives in Brisbane with one husband, two cockatiels, and five ukuleles. Her writing has been published in the United States and Australia in various magazines and journals such as Chiron Review, Naugatuck River Review, Unbroken, Stickman Review, Grieve, Hecate, StylusLit, and The Big Issue. She has won Ipswich Poetry Feast awards and was recently shortlisted in the inaugural Melbourne Ukulele Festival songwriting competition.
Lovely poem and tribute to your mother, Maree
Thank you so much Amy. 💐
I love your gentle poem. “You were even early for your funeral” sums up so much in a short space. Congratulations on the publication, Maree!
Thank you very much, Silvia. I am so glad you love my poem!
Such a kind and understated sonnet, Maree. Sweet and honest and sad. And congratulations on getting it published. In One Art, no less. (No disaster, at all.)
Thank you kindly, Mark. You are a master editor and so very generous.
Lovely.
Thank you Carol! 💐
Beautiful Maree. So glad to see this today. You continue to inspire me. (and FIVE ukes? Wonderful!)
Thank you kindly, Margaret. Glad it nourished you.
And a keyboard and mandolin. Hope to learn how to play them one day.