It Won’t Be For Long

There was a time back when he was a teen
He couldn’t seem to get and stay clean.
He went to visit the guys across town
And turned Momma’s smile into a frown.
She said, “I want you to stay over here
I love when all of my children are near.”
But He wanted to get as good as gone
So He told her, “It won’t be for long.”

But his ‘not for long’ turns into weeks,
Tears are rollin’ down the poor Mother’s cheeks.
She kept him close as long as she could
Hoping and praying that He’d be good.
So Momma goes around humming a song
Hoping his absence won’t be for long.

Now Momma’s lying on a hospital bed
Months turned to years just like she said.
She doesn’t have much longer to stay
They’re hoping that there’s another way.
He stays by her side just holding her hand
Praying to God that this isn’t the end.
She looks at him as she’s humming a song
And He realizes that it won’t be for long.

And sooner than later she goes ‘round the bend
Living in a land where life doesn’t end!
He wishes He had stayed just a little while more
Instead of rushing to get out the door.
When He starts missin’ her humming her song
He remembers that it won’t be for long.

Even though she’s gone, He thinks about her still.
He sees his boy peek over the window sill
To watch him in the yard mowing the grass
He gets to thinking how quick time will pass.
He knows she’s up in heaven just singin’ her song
And missing her here on earth, won’t be for long.

And sooner than later he’ll go ‘round the bend
Living in a land where life doesn’t end
They’ll wish they had stayed just a little while more
Instead of rushing to get out the door.
When they start missin’ him humming his song
They’ll remember that it won’t be for long.

to those who learned to appreciate too late,
– Caleb