Requiem for Robert

Requiem for Robert was written by Dr. George A. Hays after the loss of his newborn  on March 2, 1963. Dr. Hays was very active in his community, charitable work  and even completed mission work in Guatemala.  George passed away in 1989.

After 31 years of teaching, the Kingsburg Elementary School’s library was named after Mrs. Hays, the Carolyn Hinton Hays Media Center. Mrs. Hays currently resides in Memphis, TN and allowed Share to publish the following several decades after the death of their son.

Little one, so sweet in sleep

Rest, though mother’s arms

Entwine you not.

Yours was a life so brief,

Its silver whiteness, like a lightning flash

Across an ocean’s sweep

Was a blaze of purity

In a worldly storm.

Poor weary traveler! The light

That still remains upon your face

There in death, is like the echo

Of palest moonlight, cool and gentle.

Like a little doll you wait

The tender warmth of an embrace,

The sunshine of a mother’s face!

Wait you there in peace, beloved son.

Our cries are but the antiphon

Of love, The song of eventide

That broke upon the dawn of your short life

Now mocks us while we grieve.

The candle’s snuffed, but one wee ember

Glows afar. Oh, Cherub, our love

Must warm you through an endless night.

Our eyes are fixed upon a tiny light

From yonder star!