I HEARD A VOICE
I heard a voice say quite clearly and sure to me,
Go, speak to that old man lonely as can be,
I looked up and saw him sitting all alone and sad,
He did not look poor or hungry for that I was glad.

We talked about the weather and it being rather cold,
All about my big happy family him I gladly told,
He smiled as we chatted but was still sad and lone,
Then he told me he knew of no family of his own.

No wife, no children, no little feet running around,
Not one living relative had this old man yet found.
His brothers and sister now all dead long gone,
He vaguely knew of a nephew, but what could be done?

I asked if he had tried the internet to try and find his kin
A feeling came to my heart that this battle we could win.
His brother’s name was Ben, his wife was called Sue,
He had a son the same name, was there anything we could do.

The last name was uncommon, but would we find a name,
Maybe somewhere there was one, to find it was our aim.
I invited him to dine with us, he very gladly agreed,
Our happy family gathering seemed to meet a hidden need.

Afterwards my husband went name hunting of the net
Leaning forward in anticipation all thrilled he did get,
Two bright dancing eyes were glued to the small screen
Then his whole face lit up as his unusual name was seen.

Ben! That’s him, but he lives all those many miles away,
I quietly picked up the phone, dialed wondering what to say,
It rang and I explained the call, then said here’s your uncle Fred
It was a happy ending with very little more that need to be said.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson December 18, 2003