Sit With Me

The following poem was written by a patient to her hospice volunteer:

Sit with me,

the day is long -

The rain beats upon the

window strong.

And I'm so alone.

My family - strained -

Their smile a mask,

would bring me anything

I'd ask -          

except the truth.

They won't bring that?

I wish they would.

the wall they raise

impales my heart,

the talk of home

tears me apart.

If only once

they'd let it be -

Just let it be and

SIT with me.

But you - you're different.

YOU know the name.

YOU sit beside me

with quiet brain

YOU hold my hand

your eyes won't lie.

They hold me fast -

they let me cry.

Oh sit with me.

And help me leave -

this wondrous earth,

so dear to me.

I need your hand -

your gentle smile

to free me from these shreds

of Life

This precious ebbing Life!

My family holds me

with loving Lies.

I cannot tell them -

(They've made it so) -

that my soul's at rest

and I want to go.

So sit with me

the day is Long -

the psalm of rain

takes me along.

I cannot fear -

what has to be

O Gentle Friend -

Please Sit with Me!