The old woman waited, <br />standing on the sidwalk <br />watching the round-about <br />She seems frail, <br />a long life, weighted <br />on hunched shoulders <br />Yet a look of contentment <br />nonetheless in her eyes <br />As the car approaches <br />she starts to it <br />A woman, middle-aged, <br />and obviously her daughter <br />quickly jumps out of the car <br />and hurries to her mother <br />to assist the old woman <br />The old woman ducks <br />the outstretched arm holding <br />the door for her, <br />scurrying into the car <br />(refusing to believe that <br />she would need such help! Imagine!) <br />with a haste that startled <br />the younger woman <br />The younger woman's rebuts only <br />fell on selectively deaf ears. <br /> <br />As they drove away, <br />I couldn't help but cry. <br />Such an ordinary, everyday occurrence <br />never to be remembered <br />by anyone... <br />but me. <br />The defiance of the old woman and her will <br />The tenderness of the daughter <br />and the her appreciation, subconscious, <br />That she has this time with her mother. <br />I said a prayer for them... <br />I prayed that the daughter never forgets <br />and the old woman <br />enjoyed her life and that it was full. <br />And as I returned to my <br />mother's hospital room, <br />a surprise pang of jealousy <br />and regret overwhelmed me. <br />The search for answers <br />I know I would never find <br />filled and crushed my heart... <br />I entered my mother's room quietly <br />and sat by her side while she slept. <br />I prayed for God's guidance <br />and my mother's peace. <br />And I watched her beautiful <br />young face throughout the night.<br /><br />Lee Degnan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-glimpse-5/
