We are honored to share a poem from I Carry My Mother by Lesléa Newman.
Lesléa Newman, known for her children’s book Heather Has Two Mommies, explores illness and death in her newest book. From diagnosis through yahrzeit (one-year anniversary of death), she grapples with what it means to lose a mother. To honor her mother’s memory, Lesléa Newman will donate $1.00 to the Cancer Connection for each book ordered by January 25 (her mom’s birthday).
SITTING SHIVA
Mirrors are covered
Wooden benches are set out
Have a good mourning
Where’s the coffee pot?
I ask my father, who knows
my mother would know
Welcome. Please come in.
Sit anywhere. Except there!
That’s my mother’s chair
Ancient Hebrew prayers
cannot bring my mother back,
so what good are they?
My aunt spills her tea
when I speak to her softly
in my mother’s voice
White coffee cup smeared
with my mother’s red lipstick.
Don’t you dare wash it.
Chocolate rugelach
my mother and I both love
clog my throat like mud
My mother’s old friend
cups my face with both her hands
Fingers wet with tears
My aunt stands to leave.
“Call if you need anything.”
I need my mother.
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