Colors (My Mother Was)

Purple, yellow-green and blue
(So funny these are now my favorite)
Colors
My mother was
When wheeled from a chamber
In the funeral parlor

This was the day
That I had dreadded
Not the birthday I'd expected
Seventeen
Like a fairy tale curse
Or a bad dream

Her body was
Lifeless and cold
Her dead eyes were closed
I kissed her cheek
Cut a lock of her hair
And learned
The true meaning of despair


© A. Bougie (original written December 2000 -edited- 11/12/2017)
Hard to believe it's now been 17 years since the day that inspired this. Still miss my Mom as much as ever.