I was told,
She doesn't believe her son is dying.
I was told,
Do something about it, before it is too late.
I was told,
If she doesn't start behaving, we will take him from her.
Place him in the care of the state, deny her custody.
Place him in protective care, so that he can die peacefully without her.
Place him in a safe space, beyond her incessant demands he fight this cancer.
We stood in the hospital corridor and I asked you,
What do you know?
We stood in the hospital corridor and you told me,
I know my son is dying.
We stood in the hospital corridor and you cried,
How does a mother let go?
The last thing your son said to them was,
I want to die at home.
The last thing your son said to me was,
Look after mum for me.
The last thing your son heard, as he died, was you;
It's okay to let go now, my love.
published in Snapdragon Journal, Winter 2021
Heather Cameron is a poet and a healthcare professional. She has her PhD in Cancer Poetry, and has published a number of works about death, dying, loss and grief.