On Leaving

on the last evening
of the last day
of the last month
of the last year
of my life,
like so many before me
have done,

what it would be like:
as in wealth
and health,
as in shame
or fame,
as in would I even know
enough to care?
but, sure enough
on that last day
and just like my father
and his father before him,
someone,
initially unknown
will come for us
and it will be
up to us
to whom it is
we want
to say goodbye.

15Apr15