Lola Bento
from an email from her son, Joe Bento

My mother, a native of Gause, Milam County, Texas, was 11 years old when the New London explosion occurred. She shared with me this evening a poem / prayer written by W. Lee O'Daniel. O'Daniel was with a hillbilly band, and also had his own radio show where she heard the poem. He was also governor of Texas at one time - I don't know if it was at the time the poem was written. The poem is titled: "A New London Mother's Midnight Prayer."

It is as my mother remembers. It's certainly a lot of verses to remember after nearly 70 years! She remembers it being read during a memorial on W. Lee O'Daniel's radio show.

A New London Mother's Midnight Prayer
(New London, Texas Catastrophe)

At night when I lay on my pillow and weep
In the darkness so silent and black
I can't go to sleep
'Cause memories creep
And it seems my dear children come back.

I can hear them at play as they clatter away
I hear their footsteps on the floor
And their laughter and song
Seems to ring loud and long
In the room just beyond that closed door.

Oh father above, quench this poor mother's love
Let me press that sweet face to my breast
With the tenderest of care
Let me smooth that soft hair
Just one kiss, Lord, is all I request.

Then with a flash in the sky
And a crash from on high
Like the flash that tore buildings in twain
I sit up in bed while up overhead
I hear the soft patter of rain.

'Tis the answer, thinks I
From the one upon high
So loud yet as gentle as rain
"Your children are here, so banish all fear
They now suffer no heartache or pain."

So with faith in my breast
There comes that sweet rest
That hope will endure evermore
And someday I will meet and my dear children greet
In that room just beyond that closed door.