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THE FRIEND
The frail man lies in a hospital bed
Disease suckling away his life
Those in attendance know of his suffering
What prolongs this merciless strife
Bedridden for countless ebbs of time
The love for life now gone
His pain has become almost bearable now
Mastered like a chessman's pawn
Life lived with no regrets remembered
Undaunted that it's his time
Physician show the tenderness of mercy
Compassion's not a moral crime
As days wear on to longer weeks
Death still has made no claim
And the man moves farther away each day
There's no one that's to blame
Forlorn he surveys the hospital room
His selection must be flawless
For the burden he will ask one to shoulder
Will be one of guiltful kindness
Of beloved wife nor tearful son
Will this request be made
For the sorrow that may engorge within
Brings a tender heart to fade
The man lies quietly filled with pain
Then appears his lifelong friend
No words were spoken by the tearful pair
'God' bless him for this sin
As the softness returned to the weary man's face
Like the innocence of a small child
He thought of his wife and the beauty of life
Slowly closed his eyes and smiled
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