Lou J. Klaiber

HE HELD ON… FOREVER
(A Sacred Prayer)

He held his hands toward the dying Sun,
palms up, and praying,
he held them.

… and the silence came upon him,
as a small bird
with tired wings.

His prayer came from his eyes.

Tears
… that washed the weariness
from his face.

… and then he looked into my eyes
one last time,

… and the scars upon his flesh,
… the scars of his life
and his war,
… just disappeared.

He looked into my soul
… and I lifted him up
once more… into my arms,

and he smiled
for the last time.

… held on to life,
no more

… forever!