TOMORROW'S TEARS

TOMORROW'S TEARS

A dear old friend has been called home,
leaving family and friends bereft and alone
to face the world and the coming years.
Those we love today are tomorrow's tears.

Ah, but would we miss the chance to know
the friendship, the love, and the afterglow
of those who fill our lives for so brief a time,
when a soul has touched your heart or mine?

We have no estimate of our days on earth,
so we must live our lives, for all its worth
and treasure those we meet along the way
who stop and share laughter, our yesterday.

For tomorrow comes and we leave behind
family and friends that will come to mind
just once in awhile, and as memory clears
we don't think of them until tomorrow's tears.

And the tears will come when we lose someone
whose life comes to an end, their work here done.
Thoughts of them will lighten the deepest grief
when we hold fast to memories and our belief

That in another time and in another place
we may once again see our loved one's face.
I would not miss the chance to love someone,
to leave words unspoken, when all is done.

Countrymom
9/19/07