Changing of the Guard

Lately the old mothers
have been slipping from their places
falling, dying
vacating strategic positions
leaving gaps
in the front line.

A new generation
of matriarchs is needed
to organize the family dinners
the baby showers and the anniversaries
and send the birthday cheques

There’s a call for fresh recruits
a newly commissioned troop
of kneeling warriors
arms raised in petition and praise,
blessing the infants and the in-laws
interceding for the prodigals
alert watch women
guarding the walls of the family

Copyright © 2007 by Violet Nesdoly

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If she had lived, today would have been my mother-in-law’s 90th birthday. She died in 2006. My mom died that same year. After her death it hit me: our generation is it now — the one that stands between the youngsters and eternity.

This poem was previously published in Family Reunion.