For Bethany Kim Poem by david lessard

It was a snow filled February day,
John Glenn was orbiting in space-
and in a small town in Vermont
you first showed us your smiling face.

You were an awfully good baby
Didn't fuss too loud or too long-
When we wanted to calm you down
we'd put on a Johnny Mathis song

When you were just a babe
They sent me away for awhile
and four months later,
when I returned-
you greeted me with
one big happy smile.

We left Vermont that fall
and headed for the west-
we didn't want to leave
but it was for the best.

But then the worst came down
you were just a child of eight-
your mother took you all;
said she didn't want
to be my mate.

Now your up in Tacoma
and it's the spring of 2009-
Thirty-eight years have come and gone
and nothing is ever just fine.

But we shall go on living
and perhaps one day we'll see,
that time didn't wound our space
and your heart was ever with me.