Beautiful Poem

A Living Will

When they say I cannot
hear you, sing me lullabies
and folk songs, the ones
I sang to you. I will hear them
as an unborn child can hear
its mother's music through
the waters of the womb

When they say I can feel nothing
press your face against my forehead,
rest your hand against my cheek.
I will feel them as the women
at the window feels the wind
outside the glass.

When they say, I'm past
all caring, brush my hair
and braid it in ribbons. I will
know it as the seashells
on my table know
the rhythms of the sea.

When they tell you
to go home, stay with me
if you can. Deep
inside I will be
weeping.

~ Naomi Halparin Spigle