Today I was alone in my mom’s hospital room holding her hand and watching her sleep. I noticed movement behind her eyelids and realized that she was dreaming and I started contemplating what she might be dreaming about. And this poem came into my head and there I was holding my mom’s hand in one of my hands while writing this poem on my phone with the other one.
What do the dying dream of?
Is it the lives they’ve lived and
Are leaving behind?
Or are they going to an orientation
In the life after this one?
Is that why they start speaking again of
Loved ones long gone?
Do they begin drawing near
In the land of dreams
And then break through to
The land of life
As the departure draws closer?
What is it like for them to step back
Through the veil
Only for a brief time?
To see the changes in loved ones
Still journeying among the living.
Or have they watched through
The curtain dividing the two worlds
And have seen everything?
Maybe that’s what the dying dream of
Do they cross over and peer back
At us
Whispering to others about
What is to come?
Powerful. Very well captured
Thank you for inviting us on this part of your mom’s journey and yours.
I can’t tell you how helpful it has been for me to write these posts about this journey. It’s helped me process everything. And while my mom’s journey is ending, my new life is beginning. I’ve cared for my mom for 20 years and I’m interested to discover who I really am besides just a caregiver.