life
around me
(though chill seeps in)
life flourishes
winter birds
cull berries from leafless trees
drink from rainwater puddles
a lone purple flower
flaunts beauty at
my garden gate
three weeks ago today
i was there to receive
her last breath
eternal life flourishes
On October 30th, I arrived in Huntington Beach, California, to celebrate my almost-96 year old mother’s birthday on November 5th. I spoke to her the day before I left and she was happy I was coming, telling me, as she did quite often, “Don’t forget you are my little girl!”
When I arrived, I found that she was non-responsive. The night before she had told her caregiver that she was tired and was ready to die. The following day, she did just that–peacefully and with loved ones at her side.
I returned home yesterday, after three weeks sans Internet, tending to what I term “the business of dying.” That explains my absence. I have a lot of catching up to do here at home, so I may not be real present this week either, but wanted to take advantage of today’s wonderful Quadrille prompt at dVerse that asks us to use the word “breath” in any of its forms in a poem of exactly 44 words. Please join us. Little by little, I will get around to reading yours.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Your piece speaks of joy and hope in adversity. It is pougnant and inspiring at the same time.
Condolences for your loss. May your mother have eternal rest.
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A beautiful poem. Words I believe my own mother would have understood and appreciated.
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Lovely. We are so lucky to have poetry to help us see clearer during such hard times. Peace–
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Absolutely beautiful…and like the poem she will be always with you…eternal life flourishes!!
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What an absolutely beautiful poem! Condolences on your loss … and yet, how beautiful that you had those last words on the phone, and that she went peacefully when she felt ready. I love how your poem celebrates life, including the transition from one form to another.
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This is beautiful and poignant. I offer my deepest condolences.
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I’m so glad that you were with your mother when she passed away peacefully. You will have closure and peace because you were with her. Hugs to you and David. Loved your poem.
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Thank you all for your heartfelt thoughts and prayers. I will read and respond soon–had minor surgery today and am a bit out of it.
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“her last breath
eternal life flourishes”….and that is our hope. I’m sure you find comfort in that.
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You have shared beauty and hope in the midst of your sadness and loss. Perhaps that is the best way to work through your grief and help others experiencing similar grief in the process. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort the coming days knowing your dear mother is with Him even now.
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What a beautiful poem. My condolences to you and your family.
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“The business of dying” – such a hard, bare-bone and stark truth, Victoria. Sending you peaceful thoughts.
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A beautiful heartfelt poem. Condolences for your loss.
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you have been missed. Your poem is incredibly visual and the prompt is so very apt. So sorry for your loss and this time of dealing with the dying – there is a note of optimism in your mother’s readiness
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I am so sorry for your loss and you and your family in our hearts and thoughts. Much love to you all xxx
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I offer my condolences as well. I hope that the cedar waxwings give you some peace as you breathe through the business of dying. Hugs.
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three weeks ago today
i was there to receive
her last breath
eternal life flourishes
How sad and how so touching! Bless her soul in eternal peace!
Hank
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I am so sorry for your loss, Victoria. Please accept my deepest condolences. This is a beautiful poem.
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My heartfelt condolences, Victoria. A beautiful poem in memory of your mother…. Look after yourself
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What a wonderful and sad write… I can understand in a sense that it takes some time to understand that life goes on when we are absent….. take your time in getting back to normal…
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Love this, Victoria. Praying you peace.
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My heart goes out to you, Victoria. You made your mother proud. You’ll always remain her little girl!
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Oh, Victoria, how sweet to know you are you’re mother’s little girl forever; how kind of her to remind you, to wait for your visit, to part in such a peaceful way. May you breath deeply and become grounded in this time, this present moment, and be comforted. ❤
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My deepest sympathy, it is so hard to lose a loved one. Your words are beautiful as are the birds with their song.
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An exquisite write, Victoria. I hope that you find some comfort in writing…like tiny releases in the grieving process. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.Take care.
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I am sorry for your loss – but glad this was so peaceful for your Mum
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I am sorry for your loss. Very nice poem in memory of your mother.
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I’ve tried to write about my mother five times- and never as lovely, sad, and succinctly as you have here. Very moved. I hope you are doing alright and that writing brings you comfort
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When Ibread of your mother’s death earlier, it hurt me for you. Todaywhen I read this poem, I also hrt for me. Death seems to get closerevery day.
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Beautiful poem. So sorry for the loss of your mother. May peace be with you both.
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Condolences to your family Victoria ~ The business of dying can be time consuming but life flourishes around us ~ Hugs to you and do take care of yourself ~
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