He rubbed her forehead gently;
There was nothing else to do.
"I know it's hard" he said to us
"But it is up to you." I've seen it many
times before as I ran all the tests,
The only thing that I can say
is that it's for the best.

Our hearts were breaking at that
moment how were we to know,
The pain would make us this intense
because we loved her so.
My children cried to think of her
not ever going home,
But it was a decision that I
had to make alone.



Our lives would never be the same
without her being there,
My little one was crying and
kept saying "it's not fair."
My older ones were trying to hold
back their pain and tears,
But what I had to do and say had been
one of my fears.

The doctor waited for an answer
as I hesitated,
He even looked as if he felt the pain
there as he waited.
It's never easy when you have to make
this kind of choice,
But I began to speak to him while
choking on my voice.



"As far as doctors go" I said
"I have such faith in you."
I know that what you're saying
is so absolutely true.
I know that you love all your patients
and you really care,
Whenever we have needed help you've
always been right there.

But as you know it hurts so much
and we just love her so,
We always knew a time would come
when she would have to go.
She always showed her overwhelming
love to all of us,
And loved to get attention from
us when we made a fuss.



I know that as a doctor you have done
all that you can,
And I know that the pain we feel
you more than understand.
I have seen it in the past and always
it's the same,
You really care about your patients
and you feel their pain.

So there upon the linen sheet I
gazed into her eyes,
I could tell she was in pain
more than I realized.
She looked at me so pitiful;
She seemed to really know,
I could almost feel her say
"I really need to go"



Some people will not understand
how tragic this can be,
And some will never understand
the pain that's now in me.
Many cannot comprehend how
this can make you weep,
Unless you've had to tell your "vet"
to put your pet to sleep.

"DECISION TIME"

© 2002 James A. Kisner.

James (PoppyK) Kisner's poems are copyrighted
by Fleeting Moments Publishing, and may not
be reproduced without permission. All copies
of poems MUST include these credits.

Thank you James for allowing your wonderful poetry
to be displayed on my website.

I am sure many will be able to relate to
' Decision Time'
and will shed a tear or two, as I do
when I read this heart wrenching poem.