Eric<3

Baby boy
You’re wrapped up tight
Please won’t you sleep
Through the night?

You’ve been crying for days
Like a baby should
But please, stop for a minute?
A normal baby would

Mom tells me to go to bed
The baby’s down, and with a look of peace
She bids me goodnight
And goes to sleep

What time is it?
4 am?
Somebody’s crying
Is it my brother again?

Then a terrible feeling
That’s my mother
And I hear her whisper
‘I think he’s been smothered’.

There’s a lump in my throat
Ambulance engines are humming
“He’s just too young to die.’
My mama keeps mumbling

A ride to the hospital
In my tear stained pajamas
My mom and my step-dad
My grandpa and grandma

All ruffling my hair
Saying ‘He’ll be alright’
When a terrifying scream
Pierces the night

He’s dead
Please, no, not dead
Mama, is he dead?
She barely manages to nod her head

Walking pneumonia, they tell us
We didn’t catch it on time
We never saw it coming
‘Unfortunately, it was a slow decline.’

Eric, here’s to you
My heart’s breaking tonight
But I know you’re in a better place
And for now I’ll be alright

You’re dancing with Jesus
And one day I’ll see you again
Laugh, have fun, giggle and play
And I promise to live until my end