Old Mother

Old Mother

I remember when motherhood 
Changed into cronehood
And the sap quit flowing--
The caring for others stopped
And I thought you selfish, at first
And I picked up your slack
Continuing the get-togethers
And the remembering of birthdays
Buying you cards to give to them...

But it wasn't selfishness 
You were grieving
Your flow was ebbing
Every day another good-bye
And I sat beneath your dying tree
As you told me the story
Of every leaf
Until I knew you better
Than I knew myself

Now my own sap is drying
The ouward flow down to a trickle
My own leaves 
With my stories
AND your stories
Will soon be--
Lost in the wind.

2023 bjbeyers