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Karen VanKnapp is a member of Somerville’s Bagel Bards. The Bards meet at Panera Bread in the Porter Square Mall, in the basement, every other Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Contact Steve Glines if you would like to get on our list: steveglines@gmail.com.

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER

Sarah Snyder Knapp 9/26/1919-3/23/2002

WATER

WATER was a theme for today
The idea of renewal when loss is forever
Reality tells me she’s more than away
I speak of my mother

This poem deserves a serious cast
Although she was not lacking in humor
I think of her laughing right up to the last
almost, when she called me “best daughter”

“Goodbye”, she hurriedly assured me
She meant, as with my brother, in jest
A closing remark she made repeatedly
Upon taking departure from him

There are just one daughter and one son
And she called him “best son” (he was too good)
While I, the head-strong, less obedient one
Never got that same farewell or greeting

Until the last time I left her
Going out her door, I looked back
When I heard what was almost a whisper
“Goodbye best daughter”

I started, did I hear this right?
That private joke for my brother?
Yes, there it was, as always, the same loving light
shining out from her eyes for me

“Goodbye best daughter”

TEARS, but reality will not rearrange
They do not renew, but the feeling
of sorrow that one can never change
that which is now forever

Goodbye Best Mother.

– Karen VanKnapp

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To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu