Today is one of the days when Ma is Gone. She won't wake…
““Today is one of the days when Ma is Gone. She won't wake up properly. She's here but not really. She stays in Bed with the pillows on her head. Silly Penis is standing up, I squish him down. I eat my hundred cereal and I stand on my chair to wash the bowl and Meltedy Spoon. It's very quiet when I switch off the water. I wonder did Old Nick come in the night. I don't think he did because the trash bag is still by Door, but maybe he did only he didn't take the trash? Maybe Ma's not just Gone. Maybe he squished her neck even harder and now she's - I go up really close and listen till I hear breath. I'm just one inch away, my hair touches Ma's nose and she puts her hand up over her face so I step back. I don't have a bath on my own, I just get dressed. There's hours and hours, hundreds of them. Ma gets up to pee but not talking, with her face all blank. I already put a glass of water beside Bed but she just gets back under Duvet.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A fragmented, stream‑of‑consciousness narrative depicts a caregiver’s grief, confusion, and eerie observations while caring for a dying mother.
In simple terms: Caregiver struggles with grief and strange moments caring for a dying mother.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and process grief.
Themes
grief
mental health
family
caregiving
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- hospital care
- home hospice
- night watches
Key Concepts
memory
surrealism
loneliness
Questions to Reflect On
- What coping mechanisms can help caregivers?
- How does perception change during intense grief?
A Different Perspective
Potentially glorifies disordered thought patterns.