Mom, as you lay dying
I kept you home with me.
Being with you and holding your hand,
is where I needed to be.
But one day my eyes were heavy,
my body was so weary.
I laid down in the room next door,
you weren't too far from me.

Then suddenly, your shallow breathing,
turned into your last breath.
I wasn't there when you needed me,
as I foolishly stopped to rest.
I wasn't there holding your hand,
had no time to say goodbye.
when I recall those years long past,
the thought still makes me cry.

All your life you cared for me,
held my hand when I was sad.
Was always there to comfort me,
when my days at school went bad.
Taught me to love music,
theatre, books, and art.
Always put your family first,
kept us close, safe in your heart.

So where was I when the angels came?
Lost in dreams of yesterday,
startled awake by the silence,
as your spirit slipped away.

It still leaves me feeling hollow,
still hurts me to this day.