by Robert E. Smith
Sleep well, my love,
When next you wake,
Your eyes will see our Savior’s face.
With joy, he’ll dry your every tear,
And gently calm your every fear.
Sleep well, my love,
Before too long,
I’ll hear his call to come on home,
With you and loved ones gone before
We’ll see the God whom we adore.
Sleep well, my love, The Shepherd keep,
Your body safe until the time
When he will call us from the grave,
To live with him in endless day.
Notes: Kristina Pugh Smith (1960-2022) went to sleep on Thursday evening, April 28th, 2022. Her husband and daughter had spent the day with her. She settled into a coma and her family was alerted that death was near. The next morning, they had the blessing of spending the last seven hours of her life with her. Her husband said words similar to this, along with the Nunc Dimittis that Friday morning. As morning prayer began in Kramer Chapel that day, therapeutic care was removed and hospice care began. As they seminary community prayed a prayer of commendation of the dying, she gently entered eternal life. This poem was written to capture those words a week later.
©2022 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@gmail.com
Amen