Bedside Manners

Oh love of mine what can you do, When day finds loved one soon to die, Poor taste the joke, self-serving tears, What gain is there when you deny? And what exactly would you want If suddenly the roles could switch, Is sadness traction that you seek? Do other’s tears your death enrich? Think more of how your folks behaved, They tucked you in, sheets under chin, A kiss and smile was all it took, And all that you need still to win. The rough work’s done, the road work too, Done practice days inside the gym, You’re on the team, the die is cast, There is no chance our love is whim. You served us all in war and peace, So thanks for sacrifices made, And for the family you raised, It seems you’re light that’s death to shade. The morn is always on its way, At least it’s done so in the past, So why alarm, why the concern, This morning’s light will be your last? Think of the love that you have shared, Those moments etched in heaven’s rhyme, Love doesn’t live inside death’s room, Is not expressed in overtime. To honor Love, for heaven’s sake, If you Love’s passing would adorn, Just squeeze Love’s hand before you go, And say, ‘We’ll see you in the morn!’ Brian Johnston January 19, 2015 Poet's Note: This poem exists to commemorate both the love and the friendship that Jack Stone and his wife Lucy brought into my life in recent years. Jack, a marine who was part of a landing force on three Japanese held islands during World War II, was a good-hearted and physical man even into his 80's and an inspiration to many at our local YMCA where I first met him. Though never a soldier myself, I salute the man, the warrior! Hail fellow, well met!