Requiem for a Mother-in-Law Gone Too Soon (4)

(In Memory of Maame Grace Afua Ofosuaa Henaku – 1940-2018)

Maafio,
finally,
the doer
seems to be coming
to her senses,
she just confessed
of her bloody
guilt,
though I am
uncertain
of whether such
expression
of shame and
sadness
is one
that comes
from the heart,
that is,
if she has
a heart
at all –
not that
it would matter
one way
or another
to you
or me;
you see,
as those wise ones
observed
ages ago,
once you push
an old woman
over the cliff,
you ought not
to care where
she finally
lands –
Maafio,
the doer
pushed you
way over
the cliff,
causing you
to break
your neck
and lose
your breath –
but you are still
very much
alive and
heavily present
with those of us
who so dearly
loved
and cherished
every split-second
we shared
with you;
I,
around
the kitchen table
cracking jokes
with you
and the rest
of us…
absolutely
no time
for guilt trips,
only regrets
for such too short
a time
spent
with you
and our dearest
ones,
even while
fully knowing
time and tide
were mere transient
waiters and
waitresses –
Maafio,
I guess
my one and only
great regret
is my failure
to tell you
how dearly
I loved you
the last time
we spoke
from what we both
thought was your
recovery
bed,
after those
licensed butchers
ripped you apart
and worsened
your pain;
still,
I feel
deeply
in my heart
and soul
you felt
dearly loved
and calm and
at peace just
as I was…
Maafio,
I am not
the least bit
disturbed
or regretful
of your sudden
leave;
I was with you
all the way
to where
you pleaded with me
to return
to my wife
and kids,
it was not
yet
my time,
you waved
me off;
it was not
yet
my time…
I know
that much
you knew –
10/21/18