Gethsemene

Past Tense

As I upon my deathbed lay With angels gently hovering o'er, Or, glancing 'cross the room I find The Reaper, grim, against the door; I see it all so clearly now: The last light breath, the final curtain, The sunset on my passive brow, The certainty that death is certain; Upon the day that is my last When time, for me, has drawn to close, When troubles disappear in mist, When I have passed, am "one of those;" When pulse does cease inside my wrist, When all who know me must then say, "Her days are done, her time is over, No more work and no more play;" Yes, when this body rests 'neath clover, Pushes daisies, falls to dust, Contains no longer soul nor light But, like a fallen saber, rust; Of only one thing I am sure As all else that I know must end: I'll die, a smile upon my face, For you have been my friend.