The Silver Lining Poem by Pamela Ann Frances Crane

“... a silver lining to every cloud.”
I heard you say the words aloud
As you lay dying. By the bed
A cup of water; overhead
The drip that gave relief from pain -
Until the crisis came again.

You smiled, and looked toward the door;
A look I’d never seen before.
A light was in your face and eyes,
One faint gasp... of joy? Surprise?
One hand raised a little, then
Let fall on the sheet again.

“Please don’t go! ” I took your fingers.
“Nothing worse than life that lingers
Once the call of Heaven has come, ”
You whispered.”Everything is numb
Except my mind; it longs to fly
And watch this worn-out body die.”
“I shall be with you to the end
And pray that you are right, dear friend.”

You stared at me, your eyes were shining.
“This is the cloud with the silver lining,
The dark mist of your tears; you see
That with my death my love is free
And every thought of you a kiss
That you will feel; an utter bliss,
An understanding never known
Before, a truth you will be shown.
The point of life is only found
In giving the body to the ground
And going home. I leave behind
A great school for the growing mind,
The whole curriculum of life -
Children, mother, lover, wife,
Work, worries, some success...
Be glad for my happiness! ”

And then you were gone. I saw
Nothing leave... but where before
There had been you, only a shape
Remained; you had made your escape.
I touched your hand, I felt your brow -
Nothing to animate them now.
Where was the friend so dear to me?
Surely more than a memory?

Nurses bustled round the bed.
“You’ll need a cup of tea, ” they said.
“Come back in fifteen minutes, then
You can sit with your friend again.”

I did; I did. And was allowed
One precious moment; for my cloud
Broke open - the ward, the world was shining
With promised life, the silver lining.