A Brave Adieu

I watched the green leaves turn russet, then trembling silently fall,

Without a murmur of protest, meek acceptance of Destiny’s call.

I watched the toothless, old dog, limp laboriously down the lane---

Quiet resignation in its gait, patiently enduring agonizing pain.

My time has come to wither away, lose lustre, decay and crumble,

The shadows are fast lengthening, I falter and helplessly stumble,

My vision is becoming blurry, my hearing indistinct-- hardly clear,

My self-confidence is sapping, the unknown future I greatly fear.

One day I will be finally gone, the farewell will be abrupt and short,

All alone I will journey to lands unknown with no one there to escort,

I will be in the clawing cruel clutches of Death, when nothing I can do,

Though the hour will be terribly terrifying, I’ll try to bid a brave adieu!