The pain, immense for quite awhile,

but it is worth that precious smile.

The nurses measure and they weigh.

But soon our mother slips away.

The rider smiles and so approves

downtrodden trails beneath the hooves

of horse that stopped to eat some hay.

Another stranger slips away.

The sky awash in brilliant hue

that we have grown accustomed to.

It pauses not to hasten day.

Another twilight slips away.

Of what importance is the goal?

It's only God who's in control.

For while the old man bows to pray,

another friendless slips away.

We think we have life figured out.

We give opinions, argue, shout -

but step back from that vast array

when all we held just slips away.

Yes,

they'll stand around my casket and

they'll talk about the 'Promised Land'.

But what will matter on that day

when my opinion slips away?

When dirt is piled on casket lid,

they'll lie about the good I did.

But God is Truth.  He'll have His say

when my own soul... slips away.

©2015 louis gander