As the tear trickled down my cheek...
That made it hard to swallow then speak.
Martha where did'st thou go? ..
Knew not i, or even did know.
Breast cancer that all knowing villain-
-Of no good-no goodbyes...
He's that villain that i hate and despise.
Tears flowed unwanted from eye sockets like
slow moving saddened like rockets...
The days of memory's attack on thee with unheard
force of swiftness.
B'fore days for me of pain and it's unwanted arthritic stiffness...
Hath been years before the memory's tears.
Your sudden unbidding me a farewell not to be misconstrude as
well as well...
I was but in thy Marine Corps overseas on Okinawa Japan's
military service...
I had no goodbyes planned.
Tears in a barrack that night did fall so silent at hand...
New Year's Day was your farewell to this life once lived.
Goodbye was ushered to life-ungived...
Goodbye! Goodbye! -Here to die.
Word was sent to me after the fact...
My Company's name and F.P.O. was lost and not known to act.
Goodbye at last dear Martha-Goodbye at last!

Michael Gale

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-never-said-goodbye-to-a-foster-mother-named-ma/