Millie's Prayer

Millie languished on her bed.
"There's little hope," the doctor said.
"I fear she won't last one night more."
Alas, the child was barely four.
That night, before she went to sleep,
The sickly tot began to weep,
And raising up her hollow eyes,
She spoke in hoarse, consumptive sighs.
"Dear Lord, it's Millie. If you're there,
Please hear my simple little prayer.
I've never heard the ocean roar
Or watched a mighty eagle soar
Or raised a flower from a seed.
I've never even learned to read.
I had so much in front of me.
My life's just started, can't you see?"
By now her voice was thin and weak.
She struggled bravely just to speak.
"Please save me, Lord," poor Millie cried.
The Lord said, "No." And Millie died.

© Scott Emmons

"Millie's Prayer" appears in Word Chowder.