We come into this world
screaming to be heard
Demanding attention
Yet we exit with barely
a whisper
A lifetime of living
Taken down
Packed up
Thrown Away
Donated.
Through tears, frustration and calloused, dry hands;
in an almost insulting matter of hours,
79 years on this earth
is whittled down to
2 modest plastic bins
a few hats
some old records
a yellow sewing machine
and a crocheted blanket
When no one is looking,
I take your favorite headscarf
and breathe.
A smell that is deliciously sweet and uniquely you.
I will never smell it again.
So… delicately, I fold up this last piece of you and place it into a ziploc bag.
Stored in the back of a top drawer amidst underwear, socks and nightshirts
where no one but me will know to look.
2 silver bangles- the ones you always wore-
found carelessly placed in a cupboard in your kitchen
along with bottles of prescription medication
Daphne… Daphne… Daphne…
Grandma… Grandma… Grandma…
Hurriedly; Angrily, I take the bracelets
and then looking at them for a moment, I swallow back tears
as I gently slide them over my own bony wrists.
I miss your warm hugs
your Bajan accent as you called my name
your smile and laughter
and how you always referred to me as “Darling”
Closing out every conversation with, “If it be God-willing,”
and answering me with,
“I love you..Always.”
I love you, Grandma…
Always.
12:13 A
