One Little Life

       One Little Life.

                     (c.2002)

When I am old and tired and need a stick,
Remember what I was when I was young;
How I would sprint to catch a bus to save two minutes,
Then while away an afternoon at tennis.

When I am old and tired and grow confused,
Remember what I was when I was young;
How I would make distinctions others could not see,
And find solutions others did not think of.

When I am dead and gone, you need not mourn me;
Remember rather what I used to be.
And if you feel that I have made some difference,
Perhaps this little life has been worthwhile.

                                      Douglas Hawley