When I Finally Close My Eyes

Poem from "Anatomy of a Poet"

The book, “Anatomy of a Poet”, was written over the course of forty years. There is no one main theme, but a compilation of autobiography, memoir, and other poetic observations.

Much like an artist paints compelling strangers, these poetic observations are of places, people, and their lives —or how I imagined them to be.

It is also a healing salve, since much of the writing came from life as a Vietnam War widow through two marriages and divorces to finally know love again.

When I Finally Close My Eyes

When I close my eyes
for the last time, 
I want to have lived, 
really lived.

I want to know I've tasted 
the smorgasbord of life,
having relished the good
and spat the bad back out, 
knowing at least I tried it.

When I'm done here, 
I don't want to wonder
whether someone caught
the kiss I threw, 
I will know.

I don't want to leave this life
with a heart as empty 
as my pockets have always been.

I want to know, without a doubt,
I've left something of me behind, 
-- something that's good, 
not regret,
for never making a difference.

When I close my eyes 
for the very last time, 
I would like 
someone to remember
... I was here.

"Anatomy of a Poet" 

Published Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018
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