my mother’s last word
a raised pinkie,
the letter I
in sign language:
our code for ice, more ice
Published by
Alexa Selph
Alexa Selph is a native Atlantan, where she works as a freelance book editor and teaches poetry in the adult education program at Emory University. Her poems have been published in Poetry, Smartish Pace, Hummingbird and Modern Haiku, among others.
View all posts by Alexa Selph
13 thoughts on “”
This is one of the best poems ever from tinywords. Thank you. You have inspired me.
A beautiful poem by Alexa Selph. I share similar memories from my mother's last illness. What a privilege.
My mother was called Home in 2004. I remember writing of her passing in comments here at tinywords and the kind support. Meant so much and always will. Thank you.
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my mother’s last word
a raised pinkie,
the letter I
in sign language:
our code for ice, more ice
—ALEXA SELPH
An unusual number of pauses in this tanka, and they work incredibly well, making this a highly memorable poem that will last with many of us for years to come.
This is one of the best poems ever from tinywords. Thank you. You have inspired me.
I always love and enjoy reading healthcare related micropoetry in any form. Thank you for these powerful words!
Ditto Sophie.
Ditto ditto! This is beautiful Alexa, thank you.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words! Amazing how we find ways to communicate in the most difficult of circumstances….
Thanks to all of you for your kind words! Amazing how we find ways to communicate in the most difficult of circumstances
And you were there to register that message….lovely and poignant.
A beautiful poem by Alexa Selph. I share similar memories from my mother's last illness. What a privilege.
My mother was called Home in 2004. I remember writing of her passing in comments here at tinywords and the kind support. Meant so much and always will. Thank you.
Succinct, powerful…nicely done.
Very poignant work. To be read again and again.
.
my mother’s last word
a raised pinkie,
the letter I
in sign language:
our code for ice, more ice
—ALEXA SELPH
An unusual number of pauses in this tanka, and they work incredibly well, making this a highly memorable poem that will last with many of us for years to come.
Thank you,
Alan
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Wow. This one really hit me hard.
Good powerful words and heart touching post. Thanks for sharing