Three Reunions

2. Mam


Mam's face, I saw Mam's face again
as if I was close enough to kiss her.
I did kiss her, I felt the wet tears
streaming down her face.

I painted her portrait years ago.
Standing up close as it took form
on canvas, first it looked like me,
then Mom, and finally, as I continued
to paint, it was Mam's face.

When some of us started leaving home
she used to weep at every parting,
shaking her head, helpless to stop the tears,
until she would eventually
have to smile, and then we'd both laugh.

These days I'm the one weeping. I think
she came once more to let me feel
the sweetness of her particular love.
There have been whole days of my life
when it meant
everything.


Carol Colin, 2001
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