Merciless cancer cells.
Pneumonia in the lungs.
But a week before your birthday
Death’s bell is rung.
Dull machines beep,
Ticking off your precious seconds.
To be with God, to be with God
He, the Almighty, beckons.
Rosary beads,
Tubes that feed,
Your loved ones
Near that weep.
I’d sell my soul
a thousand times
So you the earth would keep.
Receptionist phones ringing,
A laugh among the staff
Down the hall.
Life goes on singing
Even amid Heaven’s call.
My mind’s rife with memories,
Softly they pass through…
I can only hope to one day maybe
Be half the man as you…
Gentle chest heaves.
Soon they’ll cease.
Soon you’ll leave
& soon you’ll have peace.
I’ll miss you, Dad.