IN MEMORY OF A MOTHER (Rasamindrakotroka Andry Tiana)

O Mother dear, who once did gently bear
my fragile soul, enclosed in tender care;
for nine long months, in silence wrapped in grace,
you held my life within its hidden place.

Alone you walked through joy and silent pain,
through love’s soft fire, through loss and quiet gain;
your name returns in whispers, soft and low,
a scented breeze from years so long ago.

More rare than gold in kingdoms vast and wide,
your heart shone pure, untouched by earthly pride;
were you not, in that sacred, shining gleam,
an angel formed within a heaven’s dream?

Your eyes were filled with kindness, calm and deep,
you watched o’er all, denying need for sleep;
so firm in strength, yet ever soft and mild,
you soothed each wound and comforted each child.

No soul was ever cast away in scorn,
be meek or bold, all hearts by you were borne;
each life received, in truth and without pretence,
the quiet gift of boundless patience.

With gentle hands and ever-steadfast grace,
you built for us a warm and tender place;
a harbour bright where love was free to grow,
where minds found rest and hearts were all aglow.

O Mother, none can ever take your place,
your name still wraps my soul in quiet grace;
you dwell now far beyond our mortal sight,
beyond all grief, beyond the reach of night.

You’ve crossed the shore no living eyes may see,
where silence breathes a calm eternity…
Yet still we trust a dawn will rise once more,
and bring you back to us as once before.

And God, in peace so vast and ever wide,
will guide our steps to stand there at your side;
then every tear the night has sown too soon
shall fade beneath a soft and healing moon.

RASAMINDRAKOTROKA Andry Tiana
26 May 2025
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