A lively lady in her twilight years;
long a caregiver; and late, volunteer;
her older memories closer as she nears
and lingers there. She lived for loved ones here.

A girl nineteen torn from kith and country,
like a Peace Rose from a war zone. Alone
with  naught but her clothes and a rucksack (hungry!)
a hunk of bread and the hope the young own.

“Feed my sheep”* was the creed that fuelled her life
(a walking wounded and a world apart 
had fashioned her a Fifties working wife)
her true vocation was her second start.

To live with grace and be kind to others;
the road she took, the role she chose--Mother's.
 

© Helga Ross 2006, 2019.  *John.21: 16-17