Peace Lily

Dad and Mom’s neighbors at the beach house

Sent Dad a peace lily after Mom died.

Dad gave it to me (still in the box)

Before her service.

I would care (he knew)

To keep it alive.

I have.

The other day, though,

The dry house caught up with it,

Draining the moisture

From the soul and plant both,

Leaving it withered

While I was at the library

Talking about poetry with poets.

Home again,

I filled the pot with water,

Soaking roots that nourished

The leaves,

Like Mom,

Waiting for me to notice 

And (having noticed)

To live again.

To my mom, Sandra Isbell Wiley Carlson, on Mother's Day, 2023.