Red hymnals raised, melodies lifted
In hope to reach the ears of a pale framed women
Her eyelids shut tightly,
Curled in the chair in front of me
So far from the visage of what I remembered

I peer over my hymnal
But I can’t look past its red rim
Because I saw her dying

Heartbroken faces
Force their mouths to move,“ Amazing grace how sweet the sound”
In hopes to really confirm the belief
Though still glittering, in stubborn crevices
Tears are slowly wiped away


I peer over my hymnal
Now able to look past its red rim
Because I saw her reaching, toward heaven