I could just slip away
into the night
dissolve
and perhaps be gone
forever
whose lives I have touched
will miss me
I will become dust
It is all too brief
this earthly journey
we evaporate as we are being
formed
we dance before we fall
into that eternal sleep
where
we are not seen
by mortals
we know not of gods
witt any certainty
so I say
live as best we can
take care of the day
attend to know
love now be kind now
do good now
if that is all we have
it is enough
it is glorious
that i live
and what i will become
i do not know but with grace
I accept 
my present
unconditionally.
I do not need more.

Stephen John Kalinich 
composed on the spot
sad 
but strikes me as true
I have chills now 
as if it was opened up 
inside me
like a voice speaking 
through this assemblage of flesh 
bones and spirit 
this emotional soul 
who knows no more
than anyone else.

©Stephen John Kalinch

Inspired by Margaret Lane