The Rocking Chair
by Kathleen HighamMemories flowing through me
Of the black rocking chair
On my breast my baby lies
Hot tears dampen her hair
Oh, the times we had shared
Rocking through the night
My little one, so very ill
And I held her, held her tight
Will this ever, ever end
I felt her raspy breath
Praying to God for mercy
It's like the breath of death
Yet, the sun rises once again
As I rock my child to sleep
Another night she struggled
My heart breaks, I weep
Then, we begin another day
Her little feet hit the floor
No more gasping for her breath
Lord, I cannot bear much more
The night comes too quickly
And the chair beckons to me
I cry for peace for her tonight
Lord please, please let her be
But, I feel the fear in her
As I lift her from her bed
Nestling in that rocking chair
My kisses caress her head
Years and years, finally passed
She has a child of her own
A vision comes to claim me
Of how much she has grown
One last time, she came to me
And I rocked her in that chair
She was grown and I was old
But we surely didn't care
For it was time to let her go
And the chair, we would replace
Thanking God for the gift of her
Then I touched her lovely face.
