‘I thought you couldn’t have a dog’

My Mum said to me

‘So whose is that one sitting

On the floor, just by your knee?’

‘I can’t see that dog’ I said

‘But I like to know it’s there’

Then she shut her tired eyes

Maybe she said a prayer

‘What do you buy in those shops?’

My Mum said to me

‘That street is just the same

As it always used to be’

‘I cannot see those shops

But tell me what you bought’

Then she shut her tired eyes

And who knows what she thought

‘Your Dad came this afternoon’

My Mum said to me

‘And Mother visited this morning

Dressed as she used to be’

‘Did you talk to them?’ I said

‘No, I can not speak’

‘When I can’t be with you

A watchful eye they keep’

I didn’t actually say goodbye

So quickly was she gone

She gave a short cry of joy

As her life on earth was done

I had never seen that radiant smile

Or her eyes shine in such a way

I could not compete, so she left

With the one who came that day

Copyright Audrey Coatesworth

From her forthcoming book of poems -  'Glimpses'