my voice cries loud
With feelings still timeless
eyes not to cloud
The Reaper waits patient,
his claim has been filed
From outside he savors,
inside I smile
The music has changed,
with my heart still in step
My vision most clear
no lens to correct
As days take their toll
on what’s left of this shell
What spirit embodies
—death never quells
(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2017)