You Never Know When

His sweat dripped slowly off his brow,
down his cheek then off his jaw.
I wiped his face off with my cloth,
and was amazed at things I saw.

He looked mean and serious,
and didn’t know I was there.
All I saw was an outer shell,
of someone who used to care.

I could tell his mind was working,
and was really deep in thought.
His hands were clenched together,
which bothered me a lot.

He tried to speak; but couldn’t,
there was no strength left inside.
His body started trembling,
for he was about to die.

His appearance was very fragile,
with tears outside his eyes.
Had he been a good enough man,
and repented his sins and lies?

Had his life been good enough,
to relish in God’s glory?
Or was he just way too late,
to say the words “I’m sorry”?

His soul was restless and in pain,
his battle was within himself.
Could he still ask for forgiveness,
so he wouldn’t go to hell?

His heart was beating slower now,
he was drifting further away.
Time was of the essence now,
so I bowed my head and prayed.

The machines stopped so suddenly,
his death was finally here.
Silence fell across the room,
as it triggered my own fears.

I slowly took off his glasses,
and laid them on the stand.
I kissed him once, then again,
and let go both his hands.

I wiped my tears from my eyes,
opened the hospital door.
That’s when I heard singing,
somewhere in the corridor.

I twirled around in circles,
unsure which way to go.
I had to find these voices,
it was important that I know.

I quickly opened his hospital door,
and saw his nurses there.
They were preparing him to leave,
to begin his life elsewhere.

Joy and peace came over me,
for I knew he’d be alright.
He definitely was going someplace,
someplace near the light.

My world was small, yet so surreal,
for I too, could die today.
Another child was taken home,
and for that I began to pray.