PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

It would begin with the usual,

"Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother"

"Born-June 30,1966-Died-(*fill in the blank*)



But what would it 'speak'

about me?

What would it tell

those who read,

about the person, Cathy?

Not just the 'memory.'



Would, written there,

tell of the poet,

who used her words to reach out,

to touch,

to be heard?



Or about the enormous love

she had for her family

and willingness to do anything for them?



The kindness and joy

she always tried to spread around,

especially to those in need?



The way she loved

to make people laugh or smile,

especially when they were down

or hurting?



How she fought, so hard,

so many years,

the disease that robbed her

of so much?



Or how some people, it seemed,

enjoyed hurting her,

using her

or making her sad?



How she cried, so often,

when no one was around,

out of utter lonliness

or pain?



That sometimes,

she felt so very alone,

that her heart ached

for one true friend?



How all she ever really wanted,

was to be appreciated,

accepted

and cared for sometimes?



Or that her favorite fragrance

was lilacs

in early June?



How she loved to sit outside

in the mountain darkness

and stare up into the stars,

making foolish wishes

and longing to be up there,

among them?



That she loved all

the nature that surrounded her,

taking in the simple pleasures

of their offerings?



Will anyone know her?

Will anyone remember her?

Will anyone care?



©Cathy Faist 06-03

~~~~

PLUS...in reply to a fellow poet's question at a site I belong to, this came about...he asked...'Yes, but who is 'SHE?'

~~~~

I AM...



I am the woman who loves life,

yet who's life is marred by Lupus

and possibly shall be shortened by Lupus.



I am the woman who would die this very second

for my children or my grand daughter,

with no thought of my own life.



I am the woman who has loved the same man

since I met him, 22 years ago

and has built a life with him for our 20 years of marriage.



I am the woman, who at age 36,

has been hurt more times

than there are days in my life.



I am the woman, who has been used

by so-called friends and yes, even family,

then tossed aside, discarded like yesterdays newspaper.



I am the woman who has given of myself,

so much and so many times

to these very same people, turning the other cheek.



I am the woman who cries at the bird on the lawn that has fallen

to its death and the huge turtle, which must have been over

100 years old, that was crushed on the road the other day.



I am the woman who lives in physical pain,

every single day, for over 15 years now.

I know not what life was like before it anymore.



I am the woman who strives to help others in any way I can.

Through my Lupus support, my poetry, my heart and my time,

without looking to get back in return.



I am the woman God made me,

faithful, honest, sincere and caring.

NOT the woman others have tried to make me.



I am ME...Catherine Marie Cavalcante Faist.

The person I am is all I have to offer.

And that is who I shall die as.  



©Cathy Faist 06-03