Anymore

by

Richard Betts Jr.

As I entered the room and somberly approached his bed,
"Why are you so sad?" My five-year-old son said.

I gave him a kiss and turned off the light.
"I just found out my uncle died earlier tonight."

"What happened? How did he die?"
I searched for a response that would avoid a lie.

As I thought in the dark, he waited patiently for his answer.
Finally, I said, "He died from a disease called cancer."

We talked about things for a short time. Then I said,
"It's time to get some sleep." And gently he closed his eyes.

As I turned to leave, my son sat up in his bed.
"You know he's not really dead."

I returned to his bedside and touched his tiny hand.
I thought he was confused and did not understand.

"He's living in heaven, so in a way he is alive."
And with his little finger, he pointed toward the sky.

I kissed him again and told him he was right,
My uncle was living in heaven tonight.

As I left the room and closed the door,
I didn't feel quite so sad - anymore.

Dedicated to my uncle - Jud Hill

NEXT?
Why don't you look at Katie from Rathmore
by: Francis Duggan
from: Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia

To visit all of Richard Betts Jr.'s poems, click HERE

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