Rising Sun, Setting Sun

I drove East early today.
The clouds were dark against the sky
as if they were in mourning,
but the sky itself was bright orange
streaked with pinks and blues.

I drove alone over back roads,
past the trees full of blossoms,
past yards green and needing mowing,
past fields dark and ready to plant.
Winding roads with no other cars.

I drove forty-five minutes to South Bend,
where I joined my four brothers
in our mother’s hospital room.
“Hi Honey,” she said when I came in.
She was glad to see me.

I drove to the hospital to hear the doctor
tell us what we have feared,
that he’s done all he can,
there’s no more treatment, no more hope.
She is ours now, as she always has been.

I drove back the long way over quiet roads.
We will bring her home, make her comfortable,
stay with her, as she has stayed with us.
Tonight the sky glowed orange once again,
as the sun slowly settled into the lake.