THE PASSING OF A FRIEND

I looked into his silent face,
The light was gone.
The kindly smile no longer there
That I had known;
His eyes were closed, he could not see
Me standing there,
Nor know that in my saddened heart
I breathed a prayer.

"Almighty God, restore the sight
To tired eyes.
Reach out and clasp his lifeless hand
And bid him rise.
Take to Thyself that precious soul
From whence it came,
And fan that faltering spark to glow
With deathless flame."

Written by Howard B. Austin following the death of his close friend, Nile Marriott.