Once, No More
by Deborah Ramos
Once my face was soft and bright
Once I had strength in my arms and legs
Once my hair was bright like the sun
Once the days were beautiful
No more will my face shine like an angel’s
No more will I walk, climb, or jump for joy
No more will my hair be golden and soft
No more will there be days full of life
Once I rested in my crib after birth
Once I roamed the playground with my friends
Once I met achievement after many years of learning
Once I encountered sadness and cheer
No more will my crib be a place of relaxation
No more will I laugh and play pretend
No more will there be a celebration of my success
No more will I laugh or cry ever again
Once I embraced the wonders of the outdoors
Once I bonded with the closest of companions
Once I endured the hardest of trials
Once I was close to the one man I loved
No more will I see what nature can offer
No more will I be with the friends who cared for me
No more will I cry through pain and heartache
No more will I be beside the husband who was loyal and true
Flat I lay on my linen-covered bed
A soft blanket and many lines cover my body
I am comfortable, I am at peace
Today was the day I was preparing for
My life has been a long journey for me
There have been moments where I face failure and triumph
But the biggest achievement out of all of them
Was persisting through life to the very end
The time has finally arrived
Now is the moment I leave all of life behind
It is sad that I have to go right now
But at least I leave this world a champion of life
The light shines in front of my eyes
A final blow of breath departs from my lips
The lids of life close together
I step through the shining door
Farewell
by Deborah Ramos
Once my face was soft and bright
Once I had strength in my arms and legs
Once my hair was bright like the sun
Once the days were beautiful
No more will my face shine like an angel’s
No more will I walk, climb, or jump for joy
No more will my hair be golden and soft
No more will there be days full of life
Once I rested in my crib after birth
Once I roamed the playground with my friends
Once I met achievement after many years of learning
Once I encountered sadness and cheer
No more will my crib be a place of relaxation
No more will I laugh and play pretend
No more will there be a celebration of my success
No more will I laugh or cry ever again
Once I embraced the wonders of the outdoors
Once I bonded with the closest of companions
Once I endured the hardest of trials
Once I was close to the one man I loved
No more will I see what nature can offer
No more will I be with the friends who cared for me
No more will I cry through pain and heartache
No more will I be beside the husband who was loyal and true
Flat I lay on my linen-covered bed
A soft blanket and many lines cover my body
I am comfortable, I am at peace
Today was the day I was preparing for
My life has been a long journey for me
There have been moments where I face failure and triumph
But the biggest achievement out of all of them
Was persisting through life to the very end
The time has finally arrived
Now is the moment I leave all of life behind
It is sad that I have to go right now
But at least I leave this world a champion of life
The light shines in front of my eyes
A final blow of breath departs from my lips
The lids of life close together
I step through the shining door
Farewell