If Life Gave Notice

If Life Gave Notice

If life were to give me notice

That my journey ends tomorrow

Would I see flashes of regret?

Would I feel pangs of sorrow?

I know my dirty dishes

Would not really matter much

Nor would I feel a bit contrite

At leaving dust untouched.

I would regret not having gone

On that trip when the kids were small

And missed the rapture in their eyes

When they saw that waterfall.

I’d miss the croaking of the frogs

Of spring’s overflowing creek beds

Walking, searching for new blossoms

Of marsh marigolds in the wetlands

I’d miss the gentle raindrops

Of summers’s slow warm rain

Cause my hairdo I had wished to save

How could I have been so vain?

I’d wish I’d stayed out doors to watch

The stars on a bright summer night

Instead of wasting precious time

Watching reruns and TV lights.

I’d regret going indoors just to sleep

When the northern lights did dance

Not standing there to watch them

When I’d had that perfect chance.

I’d miss the blazing autumns

With their flaming colors glowing

When mundane chores held me captive

And robbed me of their showing.

I’d wish I’d sat there on that deck

On mornings warm and bright

Hearing finches chirp “Good Morning”

As for each seed they’d fight.

I’d regret not visiting my good friends

Who were lonely, ill that day,

To give them each a little lift

And to cheer them on their way.

So I know not how much time I have

But I know I will be glad

To live each day as if t’were my last

So my last will not be sad!