Stephen R. Clark

this strange thing

Hope is this

strange thing

that fits inside us,

not so neatly,

always straining

against doubt,

shushing fear,

pushing toward

potential joy.

coming to rest

Hospice seems to be happening

at a house near us, behind us.

We moved here a few months ago

and so don’t know these neighbors.

A medical supply van was there 

delivering a bed and oxygen

the other day. Since then, people

come and leave, linger on the steps,

in the yard, expressions somber. 

There is a sense of farewell, of don’t go,

of good-bye, of not yet in the scenes.

My heart aches with theirs.

I know this end times routine.

Losing a loved one to death is

never easy, never simple. 

Helping them untangle from life

takes courage and faith. Silently,

I watch from a distance

and pray for them comfort

and peace, sooner

rather than later.

Later, a quiet unlit ambulance 

visited around 4 AM.

I noticed looking out the window

returning from the bathroom.

Each day since, cars line the sides

of the street in front of the house

bringing those who bring comfort

to the one left behind.

Stephen R. Clark is a writer who lives in Lansdale, PA with his wife, BethAnn, and their two rescue cats, Watson and Sherlock. His website is www.StephenRayClark.com. He is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and a regular contributor to the Christian Freelance Writers Network blog (https://christianfreelancewritersnetwork.wordpress.com/).  He walked on fire. Once.