The Promise

by Elmer McKeegan
Tue, 28 May 1996

My wife and I had just lost our first child, little Arielle. To help relieve my
grief I wrote a letter to her about how I felt about the loss and what she meant
to me. Later my wife did the same. I felt we needed to say something at her
memorial service, but no one but my wife and I got to know or see her. So from my
letter I wrote a poem that the minister recited for us. I wish to share this poem
with other people so here it is.

It was early fall, when we learned the news, that you were coming to stay.
The promise of life, in a wondrous bundle, that would arrive in May.

We decided to sneak, that little peek, and see what sex you were.
The Doctor said, it was a girl, well, at least he's 70% sure.

The name we pick, must be splendid, this is something we must do.
But just in case, you're not a girl, we'll pick out a boy's name too.

In the womb, you would kick, as we chased your parts around.
Try as we might to identify it, no known piece, could be found.

We worked and we spent, till we had all the things, to welcome you to your room.
The time was at hand, and very soon, you would be leaving the womb.

As the days grew closer, our friends stood by, to see what the day may bring.
For everyone knew, the timing was right, cause May was in the spring.

Then it happened, we knew it would, you were coming to our world.
The time was now, we rushed on in, to welcome our little girl

We'll remember long, on that fateful day, that sight made us ill.
To look into, the cold machine, and see your heart was still.

The promise of hope, the promise of life, promises we could never keep.
As we held you, in our arms, these promises made us weep.

Your first walk, your first talk, to our family you should belong.
But as we look, into your room, all this and more was gone.

As life goes on, we know in our hearts, your memory will only bring gladness
But right now, we are stricken with, this thing we called sadness.

God has called back, his littlest angel, and a new promise shall begin.
Our Guardian Angel, does have a name, and it's, Arielle Cheyenne McKeegan.

Return to Pregnancy and Infant Loss First Person Page