Whenever one is taken and one spared,

The broken bond shall bring its own strong grief,

For such a day has stolen, as a thief,

The link forged by a lifetime's journey shared.

And so it was, with years of love declared,

With feelings then almost beyond belief,

And turmoil too of sadness and relief,

When heav'n recalled a life by sickness snared.

He'll never see that knowing look again;

He'll not now have the loving sounds of choice,

Nor shall he hear the happy joyous voice;

Nor hear the quiet sobbing from the pain.

Imagination, lonely and alone,

Shall see and hear the sights and sounds once known.