A parent’s death is a mile stone for anyone. Each family must come to terms with the circumstances. With these poems, each writer shares their different experiences. 

For Mother

By Doris E Pavlichek

We did as you asked,

took away the tubes, the green

monitors and finger sticks,

moved to a tranquil spot

across the hall. No roommate.

We held hands as you prayed

a long prayer of your own,

fed you pudding, ice chips,

salted greens, and two sugar wafers.

We did as you asked,

signed—then we cried, held you

to the last. Bathed your forehead

with Dove soap. Kept the morphine

coming and counted your breaths.

You took your time, let us know

things we needed to know.

We cleaned your room today,

found two sugar wafers.

Your last meal.

Man Unfiltered

By Ronnie L. Jones

My father was an unfiltered man.

Jack Daniels neat, coffee black

And Lucky Strikes originals

Nothing but paper and tobacco.

A man of unfiltered truth and expectations.

I never considered him hardworking

I thought every Dad worked 2 or 3 jobs

12, 13 hours a day.

He gave life

By puffing gently into the lungs of a newborn calf

He saved life

By kicking down the door of a burning barn 

He took life

And was rewarded with a silver star

In the end

He was killed by his beloved Luckies

That always hung in a pocket

Like a target over his right lung

His last words to me

Before lapsing into a final sleep

“Give me another blanket, Ronnie

I’m cold.”