Ups & Downs

You came amidst the time of life, the children all have grown,
From angel’s hands a gift unfurled, to call you all our own;
Conjoined our hearts in concert beat, the future held so much,
The sweetness of such joy we trust, no ill could ever touch.

But sickness came, in silence struck, and reared its ugly head,
The vet in solemn mood disclosed, and broke the news we dread;
“’Tis up to him the will to live, we did our very best ...”,
In vain you fought the evil germ, our sad hearts could attest.

Around the clock the fever raged, before our anxious eyes,
At times the deadly tide seemed turned, and caused our hopes to rise;
One final push with all you had, one last resistance made,
One longing look in farewell bid, you laid your tired head.

O cruel indeed that we should taste, what separation yields,
The guilt and failure on our part, within our conscience seals;
In vain we looked to shift the blame, to ease the throbbing pain,
The loss so deep, so cruel and stark, such efforts were in vain.

A chewed up toy, a picture framed, recalled the days gone by,
Of treasured moments, warmly shared, we strained to hear your cry;
But all was still, we vainly tried, to make the silence speak,
The outstretched hand no head will meet, nor muzzle on the cheek.

‘Tis said the balm of time will heal, and rid our hearts of fear,
Her gentle hands can wonders work, and wipe the lingering tear;
Lift hearts to love with vigour new, and courage to commit,
And once again our lives unfold, a new pet to admit.

O hark! the sounds of laughter sweet, of happy merry ways,
The clouds of pain of yesteryears, gave way to sunny days;
In glee we hugged our newfound joy, and vowed to do our part,
O, never he can sickness touch, a promise from our heart.

All life was once from earth designed, that lived from dust to dust,
Each piece was wonderfully wrought, within our care entrust;
Through each the Potter lifts us up, beyond the miry clay;
To seek the Source of all true love, and see the Light of day.

O God assist, each life that ends, remind us this we pray,
That each a gift to love and hold, and treasure while we may;
And hence with joy, for all who come, we raise our grateful praise,
With valiant hearts fling wide our arms, and let love brightly blaze!

All ye, who tread the road of love, must take both joy and bane,
And will to love, and open lay, your life despite the pain;
So, drink your fill, this crystal stream, flows from the heart of God,
Let true love blosom ‘ere the day, we lie beneath the sod.

Fontsie