Friday, June 14, 2024

The Right Time to Die


When you are old,

But not so old that your memories begin to scatter,

You are just old,

Old enough so that the bucket lists don’t matter.


 

When your duties are done,

Not so well that people can’t go on.

You have done your work,

Just well enough that people aren’t glad you are gone.


 

When you have loved someone,

Not so hard that death enforces a cycle of rebirths,

You have been loved,

Just enough that there was some sanity, some mirth.


 

Most importantly, you are tired…too tired,

And numb, and deep within you feel no fire,

That is the right time to leave your body,

And have someone add the flames to your pyre.