Little Ones (a poem about pediatric end of life)

[Heather S.]

"Little Ones" - By Heather Strong

Somebody had brought some animal toys
Little ones hidden around the unit floor
Brings joy through the pain of the girls and boys
Amuses a mom who can't cry any more

In her room lays the boy with no options
Silently resting as time takes its toll
What more can we do with our toxins
What else can we give that sickness has stole

Her strength through this hour still keeps me in awe
I speak to the mother even though it seems fraught
Of things that she's loved and places she saw
As we laugh and we weep with the time that we've bought

I ask myself if that's all I could've done
Share the weight of the world with mom and little one