I'm sorry, Mama

by Michelle "Jaguwar" Petit-Sumrall

I'm sorry that you had to see me die
So sorry that I made you cry
All I could think of was your voice
the sweet warmth of your verbal embrace.

"Gentle Guardian" by Dona Gelsinger (size reduced to preserve line integrity)

Forgive me, Mama, I can't hug you now
I had no idea, as I gave you one last call
That this would be the closest I'd come to
Holding you, loving you, living with you

I'm sorry, Mama, so sorry you are scared
I never meant to be tied up there
In such a tangled web of horror, fear and sorrow
But listen, Mama, I have one last thing to ask

Forgive them, Mama
They didn't know any better
They died too, Mama,
Lost and blinded forever.
Love again, Mama
Even as you cry
Don't let them win by letting hate
...into your heart

I'm sorry, Mama, I know that you are hurt
But I'm fine here, Mama, surrounded by the light
I'm not scared now, Mama, nor even very sad
I look upon my life and feel rather glad.

I love you, Mama, as I know you love me too.
I'm lucky, Mama: so many never got the chance
To say good-bye, one more time,
Share the love that fills their heart.

Tell them for me, Mama,
How much love is in my heart
      .... One more time.

Dedicated to all the mothers who lost a child in the attack on America September 11th, 2001.
Inspired by all the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, sons and daughters who were left to tell the tale of that "one last call". May you be blessed by love, and the memory of your children be held up to the powerful lights of Love, Peace and Unity.

September 14th, 2001.

Michelle Petit-Sumrall is a freelance website designer, homeschooling mother of 2 girls, and a former Canadian now residing in the United States.