Last Curtain To Fall

The older I get
The less people to call
Is it by choice
My spirit’s downfall

The older I get
The less then to care
A life once so pointed
With little to share

The older I get
Beginning to end
The ones that stood by me
The ones I called friends

The older I get
Meat gone from the stew
The faces just names
Of those I once knew

The older I get
Doors lock from within
A constant reminder
The blaming now stings

The older I get
The less people to call
No sand in the hourglass
—last curtain to fall

(Villanova Pennsylvania: April, 2014)

Now Mine To Keep

My first breath every morning
   a thank-you to the Lord

My heart beats then in tribute
  single note in heaven’s chord

My last breath every evening,
  as I close my eyes to sleep

To thank him softly once again
—his grace now mine to keep

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2016)
  From ‘The Book Of Prayers’
  Written for my Grandchildren:
  Kiley, Hunter, Braden and Parker

Death Never Quells

Through age and infirmity,
  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)