Therefore Choose Life
When Kubler-Ross went first to work
They thought she was some kind of jerk
To ask if she could interview
Some patients who had death in view.In institution oh so large,
‘No one is dying in my charge’
They all professed to her each day,
Though constantly some passed away.She fin’ly got the name of one,
Asked him to ‘Wait while others come’;
But he could not, and passed away –
She did not wait beyond that day.So, slowly in her interviews
She got some info – concepts drew
From in that mass of data new,
How we face loss – of me, of you.Does knowing one is dying make
It happen, and of death partake?
Or does it indicate in one
A knowledge deep, their days are done?The boomers talk of suicide
So's not on children's futures ride;
I always thought they fool-ish were
What ever kettle they would stir.In Parliament they nixed a bill
To ease the law for those who kill
Old granny, who no longer chews,
Despairs of life, and world eschews.As child I heard of one fine chap,
As healthy as a horse at that –
A rack collapsed with all his goods,
“A sign of end,” he understood.The guy went home, arranged affairs,
Of future life he had despaired;
Laid down to die, as in end near;
Three days it took – then gone from here.Grandfather's heart gave out on him;
He wanted death, yet it was grim –
His body fought, would not shut down;
For seven days, clung to this ground.Some people walk a living death
Though fit, and draw enlivened breath
As they approach their end of days –
Walked right by life in reckless ways.Some face the end – in pain, regret
That early on they missed a step –
Some road they took, some error made,
Some treasure lost, sad future laid.As many as the folks who walk
The paths of earth, who think and talk,
Are ways they choose to live and die,
Not all aware their reasons why.I read a note writ long ago
Of path I thought I'd like to go;
Forgot I wrote it, made that choice,
Yet lived it out – now I rejoice.I thought a year ago I'd start
To on my present course embark;
But since a tree fell ’cross my path
A year ago got free at last.So really I'm far down that road,
Not in my task, with garden hoed,
But what I learned in clearing tree
Has given insight which I need.So thoughts of death or choice of life –
We do decide when time is right –
If we shall live in triumph now,
Minds take us there – we don't see how.So what's the path you're on today?
What choice has brought to you by this way?
Can you six years, six minutes take
Of time that's left and future make?For you, how is your future viewed?
Not days gone by, though well reviewed –
From this point on, what's on your mind,
Here, in the midst of human kind?Live now, not one more minute to waste –
Jump into life, don't hesitate;
Life is so short, like ink in pen –
Live life before your great ‘Amen’.navigation