Nine years ago this day,
mother willed herself away.

Grief blinded us to this gift,
which she had so carefully wrapped
and presented, privately, to herself.

Guilt blinded us to this tender exchange
as spirit said to soul,
"Here, for you…that best of gifts,
the one you added to the list
many years ago.
Finally, we can afford it."

She knew the contents of that box,
at once weightless
and heavy with eternity.
Slowly, deliberately,
she removed the ribbon and paper,
restraining her eagerness,
willing stillness into trembling hands.
One full day it took,
but, finally, as she lifted the lid,
she lifted from the bed
with a sigh
and eyes shining with vision
far beyond our own.

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.