I sit here as the clock strikes five;

 This house now silent, once so loud.

 Where have the children gone and why?

 I wonder as I gaze at clouds.

 I think back to the days before,

 When we first married, me and him.

 We had such freedom and we swore

 To cherish it and then came Tim.

 Though Tim was first, three more came next;

 Sweet Becky, John and baby Jake.

 Instead of joy, I felt perplexed;

 My head was sore, and heart did ache.

 Then God did come and speak to me

 The way He did to Job of old;

 "Destroy all four then get on knees"

 So I just did as I was told.

 See them all lined up and bathed,

 All lying in their beds so still?

 My husband will be proud, amazed

 That I so gladly do God's will.

 I hear the car upon the drive;

 The children all remain in bed.

 Better behaved than when alive,

 Why does my heart pound so with dread?

 "Where are the children dear?" he asked;

 A look of warning on his face.

 The face in whose light I once basked;

 I search for love and find no trace.

 "For love of God, what have you done?"

 He utters as he takes the steps.

 "A thing that cannot be undone"

 I mutter coldly under breath.

 A cry of anguish reaches me,

 Releasing all the hounds of Hell!

 At last my soul has been set free

 As in His house, I'll surely dwell!

 I watched as down the stairs he climbed

 With face as white as any snow.

 Pumped up with faith I was and primed;

 I must explain, how would he know?

 I told him how the Lord did speak

 I, but humble vessel, listened

 Then drowned each little lamb so meek

 And scrubbed until their faces glistened.

 I dressed them in their Sunday best;

 (All dressed up, no place to go.)

 Then placed the arms across their chests

 I rearranged them all just so.

 "You deranged bitch!" he spat at me

 His face a portrait of pure rage,

 "You'll burn in Hell for this, you'll see"

 As all his passions he engaged.

 I hear the sirens wailing now;

 It dawns on me what I have done.

 Those voices my sick mind avowed

 Have gone and left nowhere to run.

 I sit alone in empty room,

 In faded gown with tattered hem.

 Bound for Hell, I wait in gloom

 Lord knows I cannot make amends.

 Four loving children I once had,

 I was "Mommy", I was safe.

 How could they know that I'd gone mad?

 I now know Satan is to blame.

 But blaming doesn't make it right,

 You wrap it any way you might.

 I know that I have seen the light,

 Four souls plus one were lost that night.