Another Second

 Sure u tried to soothe the child,
                                as he goes to bed empty, unfed;
and promised him stars and moons to play
                         and forget his woes in the dreamy bed.
'Some day some fairy will come from far',
                 and his days will be happy and bearable nights,
and his fears are false, and his suffering unreal;
               for when he'll open his eyes---all will be lights!

Sure u did the best u could,
         for he was desperate, despairing, destitute and broke,
and by showing him how much he could look forward to,
                        u solved all his miseries in one stroke.
'There is a world beyond of beauty and bliss,
                      of 'happily-ever-afters' and 'joy forever'
and the hunger that haunts him in this night
              can be cured if he views it as fasting and prayer!

Sure u did what was best for both,
                for u wanted to live and he was ready to die,
and by weaving some tales and raising his hopes,
             you brought cheer to his face with a simple lie.
'Never mind if it hurts, the night will pass',
                       for life is beautiful and god is great,
and if he's deprived today, he'll soon be a king,
                 for there's nothing one can do---all is fate!

I understand that u couldn't have shortened the night,
     or fed him with the 'prasadam' that was sacred and blessed,
But maybe u could have stayed by his bedside for a while
              and as he took the last breath with love caressed.