Last time I saw her she was fighting for
Every breath, though the respirator was supposed
To be doing her breathing.
Life had become just plain torture.
I thought, looking down at her, that
No one should have to fight that hard just to live.
I knew I wouldn’t want to; that I’d want to
Go home and feel His loving arms enfold me, hold me close.
Jesus looked down, too and called Barbara’s name
And though He spoke softly
She heard it as clearly as the dinner bell struck
To call the cowboys off the range to supper in Montana.
She knew at once she’d ride herd under a sky so blue
It’d never end and chase them doggies right on ‘round
Heaven’s golden bend riding well bent for election,
Sweating like a trooper and happy as a king.
With that vision, though she had earthly cares,
Friends and loved ones she hated to leave
Those who’d miss her and cry real tears for her
Loss, and truly grieve, she had to go.
For when we hear our name called by His sweet
Voice, it’s just not in us to argue or ask to make
Another choice. Its very timbre is the answer we know
And when Jesus calls, we simply must go.
Author notes
Barbara had been a friend for years. Conducting her last service was harder than writing this poem, but not a lot.
A contest entry
- Goodbye My Friend by Peachy.
550 points, ended December 13, 2008, 37 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Have you been there?
Comments
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as i lost two friends this weekend your write has really touched me. thank you for sharing it with me today and i am looking forward to reading more from you in the near future. viyanna rosemarie
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Wow! This poem is so heartfelt and so beautifully written. It is never easy to lose a loved one but when you witness them suffering so here in this life, it seems a blessing when they pass onto heaven. It doesn't lessen the pain of losing them though, I know. This is a loving tribute to your dear friend. Blessings, Patty
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