In the crib, baby sees the teddy bear
and smiles.
Baby smells the powders and potions,
feel the soft hands,
hears the songs of the mobile,
sees the soft light,
and feels the warm hope,
laughs at the tickling fingers,
and sees love in his parents’ eyes.
On his deathbed,
grandpa sees the teddy bear.
And then he sees the tubes and machines,
smells the alcohol and disinfectant,
feels the soft tug of bandages,
hears the beeps of the monitors
and sees the indicator lights.
He feels the focused shifting of the painkillers,
and laughs at the fading memories,
seeing the good-bye in his legacy’s eyes.
He takes the bear his grandson gives,
and holds it to his wet cheek,
and smiles.
Beyond Panic 