| The Room At The End of the Hall |
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How well I remember, as if it were yesterday, The nurse coming to get me. She led me down to a room at the end of a hall. Ominous words she spoke to me, "The doctor wants to see you And explain what needs to be." The room was so cold and stark, As windows showed cold winter everywhere. The chill I felt run in my spirit ~ Like none I could compare. My heart was beating so fast. My breath was hard to get. First time I saw this room ... but, I knew I would never ever forget. Yhe doctor entered the room, His face so sad and stern, To tell me things, so sad, I really didn't want to learn. "Your little son is dying. We will do all we can," Confirming something I think I knew; Confirmed by this godly man. I listened numbly, as he began to explain Treatments to prolong life for him. It was necessary right now. "The treatments must, right now, begin." I heard the word cobalt and others, And a paper I must sign; Papers of permission. The tumors were not benign. The days began a count down, As he sweetly allowed these things. He was taking pictures, he said; My little angel without wings. How he would smile for them, As the big machine began to hum. Thank God he wasn't frightened. For, if he was, what would I have done? Little did he know What they were doing every day; Never a whimper or a tear As we began to watch and pray. As the winter continued, He began to fail. This sweet little boy of mine, He had grown so awful pale. As we sat our prayerful vigil, We watched him fade away; No longer the busy little boy, No longer strength to play. During a dreadful thunder storm, one night, As he looked into the blackened sky, "Look there's Jesus and look how big He is." All I saw was horrible black clouds pass by. To him, it brought a wondrous peace. For, he never really cried ~ Not even when the angels came The afternoon he was to die. As we stood at the graveside, "Lord,"I cried, "How do we go on, I don't know," As we placed that tiny casket Under the cold winter blanket of snow. Though many years have passed And time has dimmed my eye, A lesson of grief, on my walk, That, sometimes, a child will die. I know God has his reason When He came to get him, that day. Heaven seems much sweeter, now, Since my little one went from us away. Many things I have forgotten And it is better that I could; But, many remembered, As God knew I would. Never will I forget The room at the end of the hall, When he passed from us, here; When he heard the angel call. There have been hallways With rooms, on this earth. Some led to rooms filled with joy, Where his sisters were given birth. Many rooms at hallway's end To bring grief or joy, One where we also welcomed him; Our precious little boy. There, where we said, "Goodbye," And he left us sitting there; Feelings of such aloneness And a pain to deep to share. Every time I walk down a hallway, My heart fills with many a memory. But, I know there is a room At the end of the hallway Where he waits for me. |
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© 2003 by Sandra Griffin Home Page Poetry |
In memory of my little son, Harley Dale Griffin, Jr.
Long ago, to heaven he went and makes Heaven
so much the sweeter for me.
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