Ruby

Ruby

By © Jeff Shumate 2009

Ruby, dear Ruby, I’ve called you this day,

It’s been so long, why I cant say—

I received your letters, while lost in my way,

Out of my shame, I answered this way—

I’ll call, I’ll write, I’ll come your way,

When you can be proud, but just not today,

First it was days—our birthday went by,

Then months and then years, time continued to fly,

I’ll never forget, the last letter you sent,

It said, “I love you boy, where have you went?”

I knew I had nothing, very good to say,

My life was in sin; I lived it my way,

You lived to love, yielded to God above—

You held my hand, when mamma left me,

Took me for walks, we picked pear from the tree!

That little boy, absorbed all of your love…

How did I repay?

I disappeared one day, and left it this way,

Until one Christmas day, I called you to say…

Dear Ruby, Dear Ruby, I love you so,

I’m sorry, so sorry, to let your wondering go,

Your worry and hurt, I can’t comprehend,

I’m truly unworthy, of the love that you lend.

This all, I wanted to say, I knew it was time, on one Christmas day,

I picked up the phone, and started to say…

But before I could, no words came my way,

Answering my call, dear Ruby died that same day.

If you have something to say, wait in no way,

Pour out you heart; let shame not stand in your way,

Please let my lesson, be not a lesson that’s yours,

For the pain never leaves, for unspoken words.