On the anniversary of my mother’s death

This afternoon

In a cafe

With my daughter

I watched how ribbons of light

Seemed to fall around her,

A warm and an exuberant embrace.

She closed her  eyes and smiled and I

Thought,

Can you feel her too? Her warm embrace

In golden strands of sunshine .

My mother,

Kissing your hair

As the glow of light flickers across your  face.

It is the anniversary of my mother’s passing

And in these sweet moments

I feel

Her near you

Touching your hair in long, soft strokes.

The light is her parting gift

On this cool March day.

-by J. Hamilton