My poem “Leavings” was just published by Silver Birch Press. I’ll post the poem here, as well as a link to the Silver Birch site. On the site, I tell a little bit about writing the poem.
Leavings
Leavings are untidy. Remembering
what you want to say as the car pulls away,
or the cell phone drops into your purse,
restraint in an embrace, the casual
see ya, when you ache for more.
There was that time my mother died—
a stiff, proud woman who did not touch.
She lay in bed, while her brothers and I
hovered. We asked if she needed a blanket,
if she wanted music, if she were hungry,
thirsty. At each offering, she jerked her head
from side to side, tight-lipped, angry.
Then the young, Hispanic hospice aide reached
out and took her hand. She knew what leavings
needed, what my mother couldn’t bring herself
to ask for, what we didn’t understand to give.
My mother sighed and held that gentle,
reassuring hand. The aide leaned in, caressed
a wisp of hair on her forehead. My mother smiled,
and took her last breaths.
Sarah Russell Poetry 
This is so heartfelt and touching Sarah. You capture the mood, feelings, and scene so well!
Loss is always difficult… it stays with us on and on…
Very well done.
Dwight
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Thank you, Dwight. Yes, very difficult.
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So sorry for you loss!
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I was very moved by your poem.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Sarah.
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Oh, I could see it all do clearly. How very moving.
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Thanks, Sherry. It was a scene I wish I could do over. There’s no next time for these moments.
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Echo all the above comments. Very moving, Sarah.
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Thank you, Robert.
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So graceful, Sarah. Congratulations 🙂
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Thanks, Ryan.
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this is absolutely beautiful, Sarah. I went over to silver birch, and read the backstory. it is often so hard to know what to do, but she had a beautiful goodbye.
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Thank you, Beth. I hope so.
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Painfully lovely. I hope transforming your regrets into this literary effort has helped you mitigate your lingering sadness. I’m sure it resonates and helps others.
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Thank you, Annie. It was a tough write, but I’m glad I claimed it.
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Lovely piece Sarah, glad it’s found an even wider audience on Silver Birch, congratulations – I was away at both my parents’ passings and bitterly regret it.
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Thank you, Peter. Yes, that time and that relationship can never be reclaimed. I’m not sure we ever do it right.
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I found sadness there and then acceptance as well. So beautifully written. Lovely to be reading your poetry again, Sarah.
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Thanks, Rajani. I haven’t been submitting much. Doldrums in this tumultuous year. Hope you’re doing well.
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Just trying to cope- one day at a time! Barely writing and yes, not doing submissions at all either! Has your second book been published? Am sorry, have not been following poetry news and blogs very well since the lockdown started.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Lovely poem❤️😊. Got emotional.
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Thanks, Olivia.
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