The Mother Was Old
(for Madeline)

ROBERT SEARLES

the mother was old
and dying
and
the daughter was able
to find the gift therein

they had found each other
and they loved and loved
as they never had
until the end

so close
closer than she had thought possible

at the end
she climbed on the bed
like she had done as a little girl
and curled up with her
holding her close
holding, holding,
and heard her last breath

it was beautiful

Robert Searles runs and writes in Hyde Park, Vermont.

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