"Don't Bring Me flowers"

"Don't Bring Me flowers"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr. MD

She once said , "Don't bring me flowers when I die"

I remembered nodding with a lie 

She said without saying

bring them while I am alive

Let me savor them now

There are of no use when I am gone

Let me see you smile

and we can laugh together as we dined

I can still be your mom. 

You can still be my son.

Come on over and bring me flowers now.

One Valentine's I brought her a bouquet

the flowers of which she promptly shared

I asked her why she was giving them away

"Look at them son , they have no flowers for themselves."

And I had to laugh at her giving heart

giving what was hers to those who lacked.

Don't bring me flowers she said

but I still do today

A defiant wish of remembrance

To one I will always hold so dear.