Mother died today. That's how it began. Or maybe yesterday, I can't be sure. I gave the book to my mother in the hospital. She read the first sentence. Mother died today. She laughed and said you sure know how to cheer me up. The telegram came. It said, Mother dead Stop Funeral tomorrow Stop. Mother read it in the hospital and laughed at her college boy son. Or maybe yesterday, I don't remember. Mama died yesterday. The telegram arrived a day too late. I had already left. Europe is going down, the Euro is finished, and what does it matter? My mother served plum cake and I read the page aloud. Mother died today or yesterday and I can't be sure and it doesn't matter. Germany can lose two world wars and still rule all of Europe, and does it matter whether you die at thirty or seventy? Mother died today. It was Mother's Day, the day she died, the year she died. In 1940 it was the day the Germans marched into Belgium and France and Churchill succeeded Chamberlain as Prime Minister. The telegram came from the asylum, the home, the hospital, the "assisted living" facility, the hospice, the clinic. Your mother passed away. Heartfelt condolences. The price of rice is going up, and what does it matter? I'll tell you what I told the nurse and anyone that asks. Mother died today.
(May 10, 2012). Photo: (c) 2003 by Stacey Lehman
Professor Lehman, One word: beautiful.
—Eduardo Ramos Ruiz
Posted by: Eduardo | May 10, 2023 at 12:28 PM
I love that photograph. You both look radiant with mutual pride and love.
Posted by: Terence Winch | May 10, 2023 at 02:05 PM
Simple, true, and beautiful.
Posted by: Don Schaeffer | May 11, 2023 at 10:23 AM
This is a beautiful, poem, David. And one that I returned to when I lost my own mom in 2021. Happy Mother's Day to all the mommas, both here and departed.
Posted by: Denise Duhamel | May 13, 2023 at 08:03 AM
This pure poem will stay with me. Thank you, David. Beautiful and remarkable.
Posted by: Emily Fragos | May 14, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Wonderful piece of writing, David, and thanks for sharing the photo
“The price of rice is going up today” just perfect.
Posted by: Paul Hoover | May 18, 2023 at 01:52 PM