REGRETS

I never imagined
You would become a picture on my windowsill
Framed in silver you look at me
And I remember the bitter resentment 
That characterised you
The regrets that filled your life.
Don’t be a house wife you said
I should have married a doctor you said 
But you sew your skirts
Saving money
Counting money and 
Every little thing became a huge event
Like when we travelled to buy uncle’s suit 
You smiled rarely
And moaned often
Sent him to buy one sausage
Don’t become a housewife you kept on saying
The illness, the pain
Diabetes and your refusal to diet 
Stopped walking, stopped fighting
When uncle died you gave up
You let yourself die
You stopped suffering 
A life you never enjoyed
Don’t become a housewife you said
And lived your life full of resentment 
I pray you are at peace now
No more sacrifices, no more stitches, 
No more counting money, no more envy!