Last Words.

With the sun beating on your face,

Your lids hang heavy over your eyes,

Limbs act like paperweights keeping your bed sheets from forming wrinkles

Your countenance reads peaceful, composed, and ready,

You are about to embark on a solo eternal journey,

Your energy level is low,

But high enough to utter only a few words,

And what do you say?

I feel we ought to plan these words, our last words.

Everyday we speak of nothingness drivel

Of slang, and curses, and pity small talk,

But how much can it all matter?

Because when you reach that final point

The liminal stage between life and whatever lies after,

You have only a matter of minutes, seconds to leave a lasting image, a lasting voice.

And what do you say?

Do you crack a joke? How did the chicken cross the—

No, do you sing a little song?

Do you ask for one last request? –Take care of my children…

Or follow Mr. Kurtz with, “The horror, The horror!”

No, do you say a prayer? Dear God…

Maybe, or do you thank everyone around you.

Or do you tell them you love them?

Or have you spent so much time thinking about what to say,

Your time is now up, your lasting voice is silence,

Your lasting image in thoughtfulness in peace.

And peacefully, swiftly, you go.