Doug Sylver

The Undiscovered Country

Most of the time she’s the picture of mindfulness. Here and now, my mother at ninety-two and counting. When she repeats herself, I used to tell her, “Mom, you’ve already told me this.” Now I just listen. When she talks about where she’ll be and who she’ll be with after she leaves this world, we used to debate life-after-death philosophies. Not any more. I just listen. Besides, who knows? I don’t. She’s made it this far.

travel plans
saying goodbye instead
of good night

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About the Author

Doug Sylver’s writing can be found in Drifting Sands, The Sun Magazine, The New York Times and Fixator Press, among other publications. He is a recently retired public high school teacher and lives with his love, Monica, in Seattle.

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