Ruth Morris

You lived your life thinking that no one cared.
You thought you were all alone, your heart feeling tattered.
I am here to tell you that you were wrong
'Cause you see - Mom - to me you mattered.

I loved you when you were angry and mean.
I loved you when you were kind as could be.
I loved you not just because I had to.
I loved you because you mattered to me.

It hurts to know that now you're gone
And never will your face again I see.
I hurt not because I am supposed to;
I hurt because you mattered to me.

I have to live on each day without you.
It doesn't get easier as it is supposed to be.
I feel the loss of you to my very soul
Because you see - Mom - you mattered to me.

Your touch, your smile, your funny wit.
The times it was just you and me.
I will miss you, Mom, with all my heart
'Cause you still matter to me...

I held her hand as she silently whispered her goodbye
A last breath as I watched her die
Her skin swollen-battered and bruised
By all the things that they felt they needed to use

I stroked her hair and wiped her eyes
Wanting so much for them to open and see
That I was alone there in the world
Alone with the agony growing inside of me

I watched those around me shed their tears
And utter their words of sorrow
How could they know that I was dying inside?
I couldn't and you wouldn't - face tomorrow

One last time I kissed your face
And held your hand to touch my cheek
I wanted to carry you away from there
My fragile mother who was just too weak

I heard the people all around me
The silence of the machines now so loud
And I walked away - my heart now broken
And tried to face the waiting crowd