Thirty and Three

THIRTY AND THREE

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!
a favorite time of year
joy everywhere
children's faces radiate
old ones, too
lights decorate the street lamps
angels watch in delight

we hustle and bustle
music plays softly, Silent Night
loud, powerful, Joy to the World
children dressed as Mary and Joseph
three wise-men, barnyard animals, too
gifts of love for children
mom, dad, and friends, too

a special gift awaits
grandson's first
oh, what joy!
very soon, we'll celebrate
two special birthdays
first son...thirty-three
four days later; our SAVIOR's own

packages in hand, I head for home...sweet home
thanking the lord for all his blessings
most of all for children's blessings
daughter greets me,
youngest two steps back
I look for Mark, where is he at?
my heart leaps with joy, children are up to something

daughter takes left arm, youngest the other
she whispers: "Mom, there's something we must tell you".
he, much louder: "Mom, he's no longer in pain".
body on RED ALERT
hands protect the ears
to protect the heart
to protect the soul

prairie animal is howling
louder and louder
but wait
this is the city
am i dying?
world spinning
out of control

face on icy pavement
"it's just a dream."
she soothes herself
screams are louder, now.
"No, don't say it".
"Please don't say it."
"If you don't say it, it won't be true".

she whispers: "Bring in the gifts."
slowly they drag me
as we walk hand in hand
I, in the middle
we kneel beside my bed
GOD HELP US, give us strength
but, WHY did you take your sons at thirty and three?