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“When my mother dies, I will lead her like a dog into the space between our walls which is just like the space between here and always, the king and the kingdom. I will lead her by the hand if she be blind and I will wag my tail against her knees if she be afraid. And I will leave her at the gate. Life on earth will in some ways be easier. I will not have to return her phone calls. I will not have to feel guilty when I want to hear no more, no more about the divorce. I won't cry though I will want to cry, though I will hate myself for not crying. When my mother dies if I am still alive, I will slouch on my knees as though in prayer. I will write one or two poems. Then I will no longer think of her.” — Neil Hilborn
When my mother dies,
I will lead her like a dog into the space between our walls which is just like the space between here and always, the king and the kingdom.
I will lead her by the hand if she be blind and I will wag my tail against her knees if she be afraid.
And I will leave her at the gate.
Life on earth will in some ways be easier.
I will not have to return her phone calls.
I will not have to feel guilty when I want to hear no more, no more about the divorce.
I won't cry though I will want to cry, though I will hate myself for not crying.
When my mother dies if I am still alive, I will slouch on my knees as though in prayer.
I will write one or two poems.
Then I will no longer think of her.