FOR MY MOTHER
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai, Vietnam/ Australia)

she has gone
towards the light resting without pain
leaving our hands full of her warmth
eighty-seven years
each one a gift folding into us

the road to farewell filled with a thousand hearts
people embracing thanks like flowers in their palms
she walked among them all her life
giving, listening, loving without measure

my brother stayed beside her all his years
now must learn the shape of mornings alone
we – her sons, her daughter by love
stand holding one another in her name

grandchildren, great-children
her reflection continues
love does not end
it changes its home