The beat of caring heart has ebbed away.
The warmth of loving smile has slowly cooled.
The wealth of good advice has had its day.
These all are gone, and now is just a void.
No beat is in the rhythm of my love.
No flame is in the smile of my eye.
No voice is in the choosings of my head.
These all, because, my Mother, you are dead.
So were these gifts but on a short term lease
that ended on the day you passed away?
Your love, compassion, joy, to be no more;
forgiveness lost us, now you are at peace?
No! Love is beating now inside my heart.
The love you taught me many years ago.
It lives in me, and I will pass it on
To every single person that I know!
(Chris, 2005, for Mum)