I listened to the voices that used to wake me up every morning
-- to the high-pitched squeal of Jane
that is always followed by the quirky laugh of Michael,
to the teeny bickering of Tim and Gail
and the sweet good morning of my one and only.
I listened to the loudness of my voice
whenever I was reprimanding the kids but they weren't listening.
I listened to the songs they used to sing just to woo me back in.
I listened to all the sounds that I used to hear but not anymore.
I listened to the fading voices,
to all the moments that were changed by the passing of years,
to all the memories I could only reminisce but could never go back.
I listened
and listened
to the sound of silence
welling in our home
as I lie on my bed,
wishing my grown ups were here with me,
making noises like they did before,
singing songs they used to sing
instead of quarreling who should look after me
now that i'm sick and old
I wish they remember all the moments we shared before,
the love and the laugh,
the fun,
which all to me are gold.
Nevertheless
if I died half-paid,
to Jane, to Michael, to Tim and Gail,
and to my one and only-- who had passed the sunrise ahead of me---
All these I'll engrave within,
to death, to grave, to infinity.
All will remain.
All will remain.
Unchanged.
