All a Matter of Time

Emily Nelson
Grade 10
Roseau Community School

Began on Monday morning

All a matter of time

Relatives are in a rush

Throughout the hospital halls they sit, scattered

We sit and tremble

Listening to the sigh

Remembering the good times

All a matter of time.

Doctors in a twirl

We can hear other room's bells ring

All a matter of time.

He becomes pale

We begin to shake

All a matter of time.

Give him a kiss

I love you Grandpa I whisper

Can feel emotion through the hallway like a rapid stream

All a matter of time.

Memories flash

Holding his hand-- it felt like velvet

Seeing his raspy chest rise, then fall

Hearing him gasp for air

He is shutting down now

Beat by beat

As well as our hearts

All a matter of time.

What is it going to be like when he is gone?

Will Grandma survive?

Will we survive?

All a matter of time.

Feeling our throats getting narrow

To the hospital bed we cling

All a matter of time will tell now.

Loud beep of the machine

Sounding like music, knowing he has moved to a marvelous place

Our hearts dance with relief

But grieving the loss

It was all a matter of time.

Walking out of his hospital room

To a dark narrow hallway

Feel the cold pain across my chest

Little rest left us weak

He was gone by midnight Tuesday

We will miss him, but know we will see him soon

In only a matter of time.

*In Loving Memory of Gilman J. Nelson, February 7, 1925-- January 19, 2005*