She left for nothingness in increments
in steps too small for us to pause, lament
until that day in May, it was too late,
to bid farewell as shadows were herfate;
and we could just remember, courage, strength
her chainsaws, looms and to the length
she went to make, create in wood or clay
the many things we never can display;
my mother’s legacy comes not from stuff
but from her grit that nothing was enough.
I miss her less today, since I see in me,
that willingness to learn, to listen, see
and taste with hands and mind what’s new
My mother walks with me; she’s in my view.
Today Laura hosts at dVerse with the task to write an elegy consisting of:
lament -expressing grief and sorrow
praise – admiration of the deceased
consolation and solace
I opted to write mine in pentamter with couplet rhyming, but we can use any form we like.
It is now many years since my mother died.
November 2, 2023
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Nice post ✉️
Thank you
Welcome 🙏 freinds
Beautiful 🌹
Thank you
I identify with your poem, Björn, which made me a little teary. My mum ‘left for nothingness in increments’, the dementia reducing her bit by bit. I love these lines:
‘… I see in me,
that willingness to learn, to listen, see
and taste with hands and mind what’s new
My mother walks with me; she’s in my view.’
Yes.
Thank you, the leaving bit by bit was very tragic… and I can see that you would relate the poem
I cannot bear to visit my mother in law as she also leaves us in increments. I is truly a wicked theft of all that makes a person.
The opening is smashing and you weave well something from nothingness in the clear view of memory. Well done, Bjorn.
Thank you.. I only wrote how it felt to lose her to dementia.
Beautiful words.
That last line was especially moving in this sweet elegy to your mother, Björn. A powerful expression of your love.
A lovely tribute to your mother Björn
Much🖤love
Bjorn a very loving elegy to your mom.
p.s. Was not able to make any comment at today’s prompt page and from the looks of it neither were most others. That said, my internet has been wonky all week with the big storm and the recovery of the area services from it.
I see your comment on the dVerse page… so maybe something else was off.
I tried later in the day and it worked.
“My mother walks within me” – so profound and beautiful.
This is a beautiful poem in many ways Bjorn. I have just taken great pleasure in reading it out loud – it trips from my tongue.
‘nothing was enough’ … already feeling weepy this morning from reading the many heartfelt elegies, yours has pushed me over an edge. My mother, my perfect mother’s philosophy. Thank you, Bjorn for gifting us.
Beautiful piece, Bjorn, so much endless love is felt in every word.
“I miss her less today, since I see in me,
that willingness to learn, to listen, see
and taste with hands and mind what’s new
My mother walks with me; she’s in my view.”
I love these lines especially.❤️
My mother too became depleted over many years and then suddenly fell over the edge when my father died. I’m glad you retain the pieces of who she was before and hold them close inside. (K)
Beautiful. Each part of your elegy is distinct yet they flow together so well. The mention of chain saws and looms made me think she was a very strong and unique woman. Feeling her walk with you and in view must be very comforting.
I enjoyed your tribute. It really is a nice thing, the son of a woman stating “I see her in me”. May we all appreciate the work of our mothers upon us.
A lovely poem – so true of mum’s “the many things we never can display;
my mother’s legacy comes not from stuff
but from her grit that nothing was enough”
I feel that too …. Suzanne