Visiting hours were almost over
And he needed to catch his bus.
The old man in the bed nearby,
Was waving and making a fuss.
–
The visitor was willing to pause for a bit,
He quickly pulled up a chair.
The old man thanked his distant son,
So grateful that he could be there.
–
The approaching nurse questioned the scene,
As the old man slipped away.
She asked if he really was his son.
He shook his head, sighed and said,
“The truth was too hard to convey.”
–
It was sad, she said, that the son wasn’t there.
“All is well”, he said, smiling, “because…”
Letting go of the hand, he began to stand.
“For one brief, precious moment, he was.”