I read this years ago when Bill posted it. We corresponded briefly about it. Such a beautiful perspective.
When a man hits 80 yrs old, he can only suppose that his time on earth is running out. I do not fear death, and have had a great time. Nevertheless, one cannot help but think that an end to life will hit every one of us. Here then, is a poem for after I've gone.
I am not being morbid, but facing the reality of life and death that will come to us all in time.
AFTER I'VE GONE
I've been around for quite a few years
And its been quite a pleasant show,
I've baked in the summer sun above
And I've frozen in winter's snow,
I've done lots of things
And I've had lots of friends,
And there's one thing you all should know,
Its really been fun, but God's taking me home
So I really just have to go.
I've had lots of jobs and some troublesome wives
And some children that I loved so,
I've jumped from a plane up high in the sky
And I've landed way down below.
I've swam in the waters and fished in them too
And I've hunted the fox and crow,
I've had a great time, till my time came up,
So excuse me, I have to go.
Some may feel sad, and some may be glad
They may think that I've gone below,
Mistaken they are, cause I'm high again,
Far over the sunset's glow.
I'll live in a house God's prepared for me
For billions of years or so,
So please don't feel sad, it isnt so bad
Because its my time to go.
Some things that I did that were fun at the time
Caused mixed messages oft to be sent,
Like bending the rules to play my own game
To skydive wherever I went.
With CSPA biting hard in my heels
They'd exhibit how little they know,
But now they can have some peace and some rest
Cause my time's up, and I have to go.
Just like the last rose of summer we've seen
How its petals soon fall to the ground,
After winter is gone and Spring arrives
You'll find that I'm not around,
I'll be on a journey that never will end
To a place maybe someday you'll know,
Like the rose petals I'll be, a faint memory,
So goodbye friends, I have to go.
Blue skies to you all.
Bill Cole be safe and look out for eachother
