The Final Sip
© Ben Burton 8/16/2015
As my time on this earth dwindles
Toward those final sips of coffee
After appetizer, entree
And dessert have been devoured
I grieve all those wasted moments
When I only saw forever
Endless time to make it happen
Led me to procrastination
Watching days turn into leap years
Without leaping on the streetcar
Where desires aren't mere illusions
Many kindred spirits gather
To encourage other dreamers
But those streetcars start to vanish
For the reckless and the agèd
Never reckless, merely clueless
Now I'm leaning 'gainst the latter
Pining that which will not happen
For the only recognition
Is a Facebook 'like' or comment
And best wishes to the pauper
Just another starving artist
Less than middling art to offer
DVD's that few are buying
But no trying, pleading, begging
From a heart that's barely beating
Will stave off the wolves demanding
What's no longer in the coffers
Take a sip of cold, black coffee
From the large cup, almost empty
In a house that's pre-foreclosure
I await the hooded reaper
To relieve me of the mis'ry
With regrets, I go too gently
Wrapped in coils of indecision
Never lacking in discretion
But my diffidence contained me
Made no mark upon the middle
Now it's late, I'm cloaked in darkness
That good night has seized the moment
Shed no tears, but heed the lesson
Let no barricade dissuade you
Don't glimpse back and see a wasteland
Strewn with unaccomplished longings
Not that every step was wasted
I gave more than I accepted
But with nothing left to offer
And no streetcars heading my way
To a happier conclusion
With a wistful resignation
I reach for my cup of coffee
And I take the final sip
Copyright © Ben Burton | Year Posted 2015
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