Breath

Breath

By I.M. Ulysses

She's gone now

Captured by death

This woman whom

Heard my first breath

A shrivelled flower

A worn out shirt

Her body could not

Take any more hurt

The day the call came

I knew what it meant

The sunrise of day

Was her life's sunset

Eighty and six

Were the years that God gave 

And when they were over

He took mom away

I'm sad but not bitter

That this should be so

And though it was sudden

I knew she must go

Some think me heroic

For standing so tall

In the shadow of death

When others would fall

But I'm no hero

And my heart is well burdened

Because I could not

Prevent what was certain

The moment she went

To that nursing home

I knew right then

She would not return

Apart from her family

And all of her friends

Surrounded by nurses

She'd meet her life's end

That wasn't the way

I hoped it would be

When her hour came

On November 15

It was set in motion

By deeds done before

When a little child

From his home was torn

After twenty-nine years

That child made it right

Bringing her back

After a long fight

But I was too late

Her mind was not well

So I had to confine her

To where the weak dwell 

Slowly but surely

Time took its toll

Forgetting my name

When I last saw her whole

And now she is gone

Rejoined with my father

Together again

Where there's joy and laughter

Away from this world

Her work is now done

While mine's not over

As I rise with the sun

Another day dawns

And with it new life

As I continue my journey

Along with my wife

She kisses my face

And thinks I'm quite brave

Standing my ground

After death held sway

I wish I could tell her

How weak I am feeling

That though I am standing

Inside I'm still reeling

But my spirit's strong

And I sense God's power

Pushing me onward

From this darkest hour

So I will go on

And live day to day

Praising my God

Who shows me the way

For Christ has the power

With Him there's no death

And though mom gave me birth

The Lord gave me breath

For my mom, Angeliki Eleftheriadis
April 12, 1931 - November 15, 2017
Thanks for everything. RIP