A Piece Of My Heart Poem by mandy williams

what do you do with a rose, that is to send off the dead? .

I walk, we all walk towards our ground,
legs shaking, noses running, eyes so dry they sting, throat choking, arms shaking, total sadness.
Warm sun, cold rain, broken hearts,
little children playing in the sand, hand prints masking the grain.
Smoking dinner, aching yearnings,
my nana has lost her husband, our koro, our favourite place, whiskey man, strong believer, long fighter, was a great surviver, her warm welcomes, loving touches, silence that said i need a hug, throat choking, tears streaming, our nana, oh nana a walk done so many times.
Uncle is there he is playing his drums, and koro is happy to see him once again.
Look of disbelief, a stained heart of unhappiness, two men so contagious. father and son.