I Might Be From Missouri

Some thoughts on mortality and giving up

I might be from Missouri

 

If there are no more

Sun, Moon, Stars

to ascend the sky,

nothing to make me

extend my hand

grasp beyond my reach

sweat, grunt, heave

hard enough to

lose my breath;

if there is no reason to try

then why is there

light in the morning

and darkness at night.

 

I cannot stop

while my lungs fill

my eyes see

my ears hear

the news of the day.

Even the smell of warm bread

is reason enough

to go on.

If I know that life is finite

and my end

just over the next hill

I might let go,

but I might be from Missouri.

You have to show me

or I won’t believe.

 

©2008 David P. Eckert