In August of 2005, a good friend of mine, Susan, faced a very difficult time.  Her mother passed away unexpectedly.

A late night call had Susan rushing to the hospital, where she spent the night by her mother's side but sadly by morning she had passed away.  Over time, she found comfort through writing poetry.

She shared with me her most private poem that she wrote about that night.

The poem describes what Susan felt at her mother's side.  How she felt the first morning waking up after her mom had died and realizing that she was no longer with her.  How it felt surreal and wondering if what had just happened was actually even real.  How she wished to have the evening back when her mom was still alive and not have to deal with the first morning of emptiness and loneliness.  Further into the poem, she eventually accepts what's happened and decides to keep what she has left - the memories of her mother.  Finally moving forward and embracing the new day.

 

As I read the words I could hear the melody behind it, the musical notes that took the surreal and brought it into the real, the horrible, painful, real.  The final verses tapped the piano keys for themselves, I was just the conduit.

 

Days later, I sat Susan in front of my piano and shared with her the music I heard in her poem.  She stayed with me, as she stayed with her mother, and helped me sing her words.

 

The song is titled 'Hold Back the Night' and it is dedicated to Susan's mom, Marion Mercier, whom I did not know well, but has touched me deeply through her daughter.  Thank you, Susan, for finding the words for my recent losses. 

 

-Zane