WHICH ONE?

One of us, dear, with grief untold,

Must the other’s death with pain behold,

Must stand with hand in living hold

Of stiffened fingers growing cold.

Dearest, which one?

One of us, dear, bereft of cheer,

Must pause beside a flower-strewn bier,

Must kneel alone and drop a tear

Upon a form to heart so dear.

Dearest, which one?

One of us, dear, with heart like lead,

Must stand beside a narrow bed,

Must hear the sod fall on the dead

With anguished breath and nameless dread.

Dearest, which one?

One of us, dear, with stifled moan,

Must henceforth walk the world alone;

Must ever yearn for a tender tone,

Heard only around the Great White Throne.

Dearest, which one?