Suddenly the smile left her smooth face
and fear turned the hospital pink skin grey.
She knew what was to come soon 
and perhaps it would be today.

She had a strong faith in the next life
and hoped she had earned her right
to sit at her god's table and
have her meagre sins take flight.

She had lived a life full of service
and done it all on her own.
Always there for needy relatives
and rarely heard to moan.

She never married, but came close
but a torpedo sank the Africa plan
she carried on with shattered dreams
and never picked another man.

As a child he had never dared kiss
this lady, now with grey tinged brow
but in these last quiet moments
he bent and kissed her now.

Soon, too soon, her old body failed
and her spirit flew away
but the smile was once more on her face
as she went on her way.


1993