A Little While

I held my mother's hand and cried
"How long?" I asked
She turned and smiled
"A little while" is what she said
"then it's home and off to bed..."

I held the martyr's hand and cried
"How long?" I asked
He turned and sighed
"A little while" is what he said
"His body was broken, his blood was shed..."

"How Long?" you ask
Is life's long day
So full of hurt and shame and dismay
"A little while" Is what Jesus said
"Till I judge the living and the dead."

Joe Morriss

2010