Bernadette Murphy, lives in Clogherboy, Tuam, Co. Galway. She wasborn in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. She is a registered nurse and has been writing for a very long time. Has had many short stories published. Currently she is writing a blog “Diary of a Fat Kid”. Bernadette has published Gags for Gals in January 2012-a joke book for ladies of all ages. She facilitates Blackberry Writers Group in The Museum Room, Fr. Flanagan Centre, Ballymoe, County Galway.
Mother
I stand beside your hospital bed
watching the drip of fluid from the bag
into your vein, and the drip, drip of urine
into the bag hanging at the side,
composed, unable to move away
dampness in the creases of my fingers.
It was you taught me to be strong,
stand tall against powerful force
be an advocate, turn life’s pages
methodically do what was needed,
knowing that everything shared
between us, different now.
I watch beside your hospital bed
having to be strong for those that I love.
The Galway Review 