Last Breath

Last Breath

When you took your last breath, I was there
Even though I was so unaware
Of what it meant to me for you to be free
As you continued your journey breathlessly 

I looked, watching, hoping for one more time
to see the rise and fall of your chest
While already knowing your time had come
You had begun your period of rest 

My hand under your nose,
hoping to feel a breath of air
from your lungs
I held your hand, lifting it, letting it fall
Hoping you would try to catch
that last bed rail rung

My mother, my protector, my provider, my friend
No matter your temperament,
I knew you would be there for me until the end 

And you were, and I for you
Always family, always true
Now I am left a motherless child
Out in the jungle – out in the wild 

Yearning to have one last chat
Even knowing you probably wouldn't approve
of this or that

As I write these words
The tears begin to fall
Your physical presence is now gone
You have climbed up over the wall

My mind wanders to your big, beautiful smile
And I think perhaps we will meet again
in a very, very long while

In the meantime,
you will always be here
with me wherever I go,
whether here or there
And the world will know
Your life really mattered
Even while in losing you
my life is shattered

I will sleep well
As you Rest in Peace 

For I know
There is no more pain
Of the heart or of the soul
You and your Jesus are as one
Together you are made whole. 

Love you
to infinity and beyond

Number 7