Mother’s Death
Senior Care Of Corpus, Corpus Christi, Texas
Saturday, September 26, 2020
one weird Saturday
something seemed way out of place
how could I have known
last time I saw mom
a home in Victoria
she’s surgically blind
orders were given
not allow me to see her
placed there by siblings
saw her anyway
through a good friend working there
that was two years back
sisters moved her since
didn’t know it was closer
until death notice
a good friend called me
fast spreading hometown newsflash
I was last to know
older brother calls
without much on the details
meant to leave me out
Mother’s Burial
La Pryor Cemetery, La Pryor, Texas,
11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 30, 2020
it’s one hard Wednesday
I have been asking for days
no funeral held
fighting the anger
under current quarantine
fearing infection
chance of exposure
now keeping me here at home
burial moves on
didn’t want me there
regardless of what was wrong
short graveside service
what did she die of
they still refuse to tell me
I can only guess
it’s taken many
still, it will take even more
there’s no end to it
refrigerated
that he could tell me for sure
closed casket only
First PTSD Session
VA Virtual, Corpus Christi, Texas
12:00 PM, Wednesday, September 30, 2020
this very same day
mother lays six feet under
two firsts in one day
talk about feelings
last thing I wanted to do
yet, I still need too
I cried and I laughed
a maniac emerging
regrets don’t forget
told him everything
all the nightmares and flashbacks
feelings and turmoil
deadly airplane crash
all that happened that dark day
smell of burning flesh
came to conclusion
suicide was an option
I told him that too
desert still haunts me
this is how it calls me back
…it will be okay
Juan Manuel Pérez, a Mexican-American poet of indigenous descent and a Poet Laureate for Corpus Christi, Texas (2019-2020), is the author of several books of poetry including, SCREW THE WALL! AND OTHER BROWN PEOPLE POEMS (FlowerSong Books, 2020). The award-winning poet, history teacher, and Pushcart Nominee, is also a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and the Military Writers Society of America. Juan worships his Creator and chases chupacabras in the South Texas Coastal Bend Area.
