Lately it seems…

Mortality gently knocks

not to remind me that death is coming

Maybe soon, maybe late,

But to remind me to examine

my life, to see if it is worth

remembering, even celebrating.

 

If I choose to examine,

an invitation after all,

what will I find?

Am I even the person to judge?

Worse yet, am I brave enough

to face such scrutiny from my

greatest critic - self

 

I don’t know the answers,

But knock she did

last week

 

Was it a heart attack?

Could have been

Did it hurt?

As bad as it could.

But other things were normal

simply a reminder

Not even a strong one.

 

How do I respond?

What questions do I ask?

What answers do I seek?

All Mortality did was knock

No demand for attention

No desired outcome

No recommendation

 

Mortality got my attentio

but didn’t ask for anything

just for a moment’s glance

a moment’s consideration

An unasked question leaving me

with questions and no direction

But for what?

 

It’s not death I’m

asked to contemplate

It will come when it comes

That’s not what Mortality seeks

Instead she asks – was/is mine a life worth living?

Did I make life easier for someone

Not whether I will be remembered

 

Being remembered does not make

a life worth living

Being a positive influence

simply helping another

without thought of recogntion

or recompense is what

makes the meaningful life

 

Has mine been?

Perhaps it is not my question

to answer

It is enough to be reminded to ask

and take the time to consider

Mortality’s call, not as an end

but as a coninuation.