"It's a girl!"
family and friends gather
outside the nursery glass
pointing fingers of pride
and smoking cigars with class;
a bundle of joy so pure
wrapped oh so tortilla tight
awaiting a feast of hugs
and kisses through the night;
a single wetted tissue
left behind on the floor
marked well her coming--
a kleenex bookend
for all the life in store.

"She'll be missed!"
family and friends gather
inside the parlor of farewell
paying last respects
and remembering times to tell;
a photo of her holding her loves
bundles of joy oh so tight
feeding them a diet of hugs
and kisses through the night;
a single wetted tissue
left behind on the floor
marked well her going--
another kleenex bookend
for all the life she bore.

Lord, teach us well, I pray
with the lives who go before us,
kleenex bookends of joy and sorrow
and life squeezed briefly between,
that our time here is short
not a moment to lose,
to be wise with what we have
we've only Jesus to choose.
 

Psalm 90