Now

 Now and at the hour of our death

Why is this hour so important

As we take our final breath 

Should it decide the million years 

That follow after death?

Is the final image

Burnished in our gaze 

Is our final feeling

The only one that stays?

Is the answer to the question

That decides our fate for ever?

Are all the marks depending 

On that final fateful paper?

And what about the many

Who do not get to choose

Whose lives are plucked away

Without a moments notice?

Perhaps in truth we might agree

No golden rules apply

To every case in every time 

For luck and chance to rhyme. 

There can be little harm

In embracing life eternal 

In heading west into the sun

When the race of life is fully run. 

To affirm the truly good

To turn our backs on evil 

To leave the self behind

And cleave virtue forever. 

This is our solemn dance 

When stars begun to sway

We fall in with the rhythm 

As we waltz into the Milky Way.