When I Have Faded, Remember
When my now smooth skin
Is crinkled
Like tissue paper used
Once too often
To save money
I hope you remember this
My hand holding your
Much smaller hand
Walking down the street
Casting linked shadows
Before us as we go
And my arms
Carrying you, sleep-heavy,
Up the stairs to your room
Where I placed a kiss
On your forehead
And sang you a lullaby
And my voice
Reading you a story
Turning pages
Leaning in to place kisses
On the top of your head
While you explore new worlds
And my hands tickling you
As you giggle
And beg for more
And my head laying beside
Your head at night
My warmth keeping you warm
As we drifted into sleep
When my eyesight has faded
Or my hearing has gone
When my body begins to return
To the stars from whence it comes
I hope that you will remember
That this mother
Loved you with
More than she was
With eternity
And constancy
Her steadfast heart
Beating with joy and pride
Just for you
How she loved you
Beyond time
Long before you were you
And long after she was she
I loved you before light
And after darkness
And always will
When I am faded to gray
And am less than I was
I’m still here-
Even when I’m gone-
Loving you
I always will.
