By Now

By now, the sight of two tiny cherubs should have graced this place;

Instead guilt has changed a mind and erased each glowing face.

By now, dimples and sapphire blue eyes should be in view;

Instead their absence brings a pain with which no one knows what to do.

By now, the sounds of a baby's cry should be as close as the next room;
Instead the silence brings a cold disbelief and and a numbing gloom.

By now, bubbles of giggling should have filled every corner of this house;
Instead, emptiness has exploded like an unyielding flame to be doused.

By now, sweet bedtime stories should have been whispered into little ears;
Instead quiet rivers of sadness escape as tears.

By now, tiny little voices should have uttered prayers placed at the Lord's feet;
Instead, we pray for them and for the chance that again someday we will meet.