Hero In My Arms Poem by John Kelly

When all the prayers have been said,
When all the cards have been boxed and stored,
When all the plates have been neatly piled,
When all the tears have been wiped away,
It's then that I remember,
That Monday when you called,
I'll be over in a jiffy, I said,
Trying to lift the mood with silly wit.

And as you lay upon the bed,
I put your rosy cheeks between my hands,
Then ran them gently upwards to your head,
Where your beautiful red hair,
Was beginning to sprout new shoots,
Oh how cruel the irony,
Its lovely texture only matched,
By the kindness in your heart.

And as we gazed into each other eyes,
The tears racing down our cheeks,
Colliding at the bottom of our lips,
That bitter sweet taste of sadness,
I felt so useless and afraid,
But you were strong and unflinching,
You even tried to shield me from the pain,
Yes me, the healthy one,
The one who was there to comfort you.

And as we held each other tight,
I never felt as close,
The warmth of your body,
Your breath on mine,
Your hands so soft,
And I could only marvel at your strength,
And how your bravery outshone the brightest dawn,
And I desperately wanted the world to know,
To shout it from the rooftops,
About the hero in my arms,
But then you were always my hero.