I didn't see her on her very last day
because I was at home in bed
I greatly regret now the deeds not done
and the words we left unsaid.

When I was a child and I got sick
she was always by my side
when I bumped my head or scraped my knee
her arms would be open wide.

Right through the war she was always there
and through my school years too
air raid or not she'd take me to school
as the bombers overhead flew.

There was many a night the bombs would fall
and under the stairs we'd stay
just Mum and me and when I cried
she'd kiss my tears away.

As the years went by and school was through
I went for my first position
and along came Mum to my interview
to help with my transition.

I owed her so much, through childhood
and then through youth
my Mother was there no matter what and
that's the honest truth

Yet what of me, where was I
when she really needed me
I was too busy, no time to spare
no time to hear her plea.

I neglected her when she needed me most
I looked the other way
instead of just dropping everything I put
it off till another day.

And now it's too late alas, too late
I should have seen the sign
I should have done what she would have done
and given her my time.

At the hospital she looked so old and frail
"Too late," the doctor said
but I wouldn't believe, I couldn't believe but
sadly he shook his head.

Within a few days she had passed away
and I was left alone
with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart
I made my way back home.

There's her picture in its simple frame
standing on the shelf
and the rest of my days I'll spend in regret
because of my selfish self.

                          Bob Ollier