First Tongue of Dying Words












First tongue
of dying words,
the journal erases
before the ink dries.

Eyes search for familiar
in a sea of dead names.

The quilt turns inside out
as I sing a lullaby in
my mother’s ear.

She falls asleep searching for her baby.
I’m wide awake wishing she could find me.

©Susie Clevenger 2017

Real Toads ~ Scribble It

Comments

Anonymous said…
This has a deep sense of loss and sadness at it's core and yet is filled with such beauty.Thanks for joining the prompt Susie.
Kim M. Russell said…
I had to read your poem several times, Susie, as it brought a tear to my eye. It reminds me of my daughter, who is now pregnant with her first child, who my mother will never get to meet in this lifetime, as she died in January. The day before I spent several hours singing a lullaby her ear, 'wide awake wishing she could find me'.
Kerry O'Connor said…
Your four images create the sense of the growing space between the souls depicted here. A mother who grows so old, perhaps, and a daughter longing to recover what is lost of her parent. Very touching poetry.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh. So poignant. "Wishing she could find me....." beautiful and sad, Susie.
Gillena Cox said…
A beautiful and sad image
"The quilt turns inside out"

Much love...
Anonymous said…
Forever a precious moment... there in a quilt. So tender
Outlawyer said…
So sad, so touching, really moving, Susie.

k
Sanaa Rizvi said…
Oh Susie this is so incredibly touching!