Mothers Die Young

You will imagine how
your mother died
what she was
thinking, your thoughts
will change
as you get older.

I know this
and pass on to you
the sadness and fear
of a child lost
alone in the forest
you know the story
all the wolves
a magic toad or mirror
it’s your story now
go ahead and say
what you didn’t.

My mother forty years gone
still stands
on my chest sometimes
but she is light
like spirits must be and
I don’t choke anymore
on the scent of eucalyptus.

We weren’t there
when she died
we only did
what we could sometimes
mothers die young.