Lullaby

Every time a baby is born in a certain hospital in NY, a lullaby plays over the loudspeaker. No matter where you are in the hospital, you can hear the sound of new life entering this world.

Once in a Lifetime

There are some things you see once in your life

That you hope and pray to never see again

An organ donor’s body kept alive on a machine

A woman’s uterus falling out onto a bed

I’ve seen patients dying, patients crying

I’ve seen pulses drop and disappear

I’ve seen people collapse as their hearts give out

I’ve seen far too much for my few years

I’ve seen a grown woman cry for her mother to come

So she shouldn’t be alone, in pain and afraid

I’ve seen too much sorrow, lost tomorrows

People whose lives will never be the same

I’ve seen my friend’s family torn apart

When her mother collapsed in a swimming pool

I’ve seen too many cry over lost goodbyes

That make me question how life could be so cruel

And yet, when I hear a lullaby

And I know a new life came into this world

My heart’s fire flares higher

And I can’t help but feel joy for that little boy or girl

Because it’s one life you get

And you get to choose

How you spend it

How to win or lose

You can hide away, or spend your days

Helping others, saving lives

Making the world a better place

One small act of kindness at a time

So I choose life

How can I not?

It’s a gift I cherish

One chance, one shot

Chloe Haber