The Cold Cave

By: Azza El Wakeel

"The Cold Cave is a letter I wrote to my late mother who died on the 1^st of June 2021."

I may not have the right

To object your death

But I have the right

To write how I feel

When you had to leave

It was a hard moment for me

To close your eyes

Cover your body

Hide your smile

The dimples on both

Sides of your face

The hardest part was

When I had to leave you

Lonely in your grave

I returned home

After your funeral

To find our warm house

Turned to a cold cave

Cold like the marble

Engraved with your name

The house mourned you

In its own way

Showed its grief

Even the walls changed

After your absence

Became darker out of

Sorrow and sadness

Didn't remain the same

The truth mother nothing

Remained the same

I slept on the sofa bed

I placed near your bed

To keep your company

In darkness and light

To watch on you

Day and night

In your last months

All our sweet memories

Were recalled in my mind

Then the conversations

We had in your last days

You spoke you'll die soon

Asked me to be brave

Told me I wasn't only

Your daughter

But your sister

Your intimate friend

You too were more

Like a friend to me

Than a mother

My first reader

My biggest fan

By losing you

I lost my balance

The only person

I had to lean on

I was able to trust

I continue to walk

In my destined road

Like a dead corpse

Among other people

Who are living

Remembering how you

Were always caring

Always forgiving

We are both dead

Our differences are

You lay asleep

I still can walk

You lost your voice

I still can talk

I kept all your belongings

I need them more

Than the poor

They keep my company

Provide me warmth

If I give them away

I'll be left alone

A lifeless body

A helpless soul

Behind my closed door

Awaiting my turn

My last breath

The time when my death

Reunites us again

Originally written in English language

May 2022

Copyright Azza El Wakeel

© azzaelwakeel.com





 Mrs Dawlat El Deeb

(My late mother)