Mother’s Requiem

If I had known you’d leave so soon
I would have found more time
To sit and listen to your words
And share, too, more of mine

I would have said “I love you, Mom”
Another time or two
And for the life you’ve granted me
I’d have shown more gratitude

For the storybooks you read to me
A hundred times or more
I’d have told you secrets of my life
To help even up the score

You taught me how to be a man
And still keep a gentle heart
To always tell the truth in life
And real kindness to impart

You gave me love and let me grow
You’d help me when I’d fall
And when I needed something more
You’d rise to meet the call

You mended knees and broken hearts
You helped me find my path
You taught me how to grow up strong
And you made me study math

For all that I’ve become today
I owe most all to you
I never could have come this far
Without the love I’ve had from you

You made me learn about being fair
And how to get along
Your words still echo in my mind
Like a refrain from a song

And though you are no longer here
You’re still part of me inside
I feel your touch upon my cheek
As you dry these tears I’ve cried

Sherry Heim
June 18, 2002
Copyright © Sherry Gail Heim 2002

For Sidney,
May your grief lessen with each passing day.