Children Confront Death

They never knew their aunt but she knew about them
but never took the time to meet them
and now she’s dying and apologized for being remiss
for not taking the opportunity but now it’s too late.

Mama won’t let them see her, 

she thinks they will become confused
with the machines and death by her bedside.

The kids think they need to meet her 

before she goes away
but mama says no, and that’s the way it will stay.

Seems that life is wasted when love is waiting nearby
a smile for a stranger is lost when those who could love you
are waiting in the wings and must settle

the memory of being so close

and not getting the chance to say, 

“Hello I’m glad to meet you,

and now you must go away.”