A Last Few Days On Earth (Poetry)

I wish I knew a way of going on
with a crippled body
and a broken heart
but the angels have deserted me
I fear there’s no one on this earth
built to outlast
the wars that cruelty fashioned
from the past

Each breath a promise of what might
or mightn’t be
a fleeting chance —
a glimpse — an indistinct
thin possibility
a far-off flame that wavers
burning low
a flicker of the way to go

But time has got me beaten
luck’s tide long turned
as daylight fades
I sense the shades
gather gentle — thus their numbers grow
old voices tug on memory
dull such pain that eats at me
lure me softly home