It Will Be All Right

Too much makeup

Painted not like a doll

Caked on

Too bright

Like a lady of the night

I told them so

Angry

At them

For masking your beauty

At you

For leaving me

At me

For telling you to go

Not knowing

What you already knew

You had one foot

Out the door

Fading slowly

Like a photograph

Left too long in the sun

Too many people

Moving through your room

Sitting in your chair

Touching your trinkets

Stealing jewelry

Your picture of Elvis

Your clothes

Your perfume

Only things

But Your things

That should have been mine

My daughters’

Stealing you away further

Stealing your memory

Too many eyes staring

Full of pity

Accusation?

Did they know?

Too loud voices

Too many “I’m sorry”s

The words I never got to say

So, I yelled

Slammed doors

Barricaded myself away

Cried in my Dad’s arms

As he whispered

“It will be all right”

I woke into silence

To a soft breeze

From a closed window

A clock chimed

The midnight hour

And broke the silence

As you whispered my name

The scent of roses

Strong with your perfume

Pulled my gaze to the door

To you

Locked in your gaze

You murmured

“It will Be all right”

You shone like an angel

Glowing with inner light

Through the darkness

Standing in the doorway

As if there were no

Closed doors

No barricade

To break through

Long white dress

Trailing on the floor

Silent as you came to me

You murmured again

“It will be All Right”

You glided to the window

Opening it to moonlight

Letting in the roses

From the garden below

“I’m sorry,” I whispered

“I know”

Wiping dried tears

From tired eyes

“Don’t leave.”

“I can’t stay.”

Wiping curls

From my forehead

Lulling me back to sleep

“But I’ll always be with you.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I know.”

I felt you slip away

The world shift

“Don’t forget…

It Will Be All Right.”