Final Steps
By John Herlihy

I take in my stride the final steps in my walking,
Although I do sense a presence behind me stalking.
Those feelings now long gone; I feel no longer prone.
There once was a time when I felt completely alone;
But those times long gone as I feel ready on my own.
The road I have taken has been long and arduous;
Some setbacks have led me down paths incongruous.
This does not mean I have abandoned my own style;
I kept my shoes polished and never got myself riled.
Life is too short for us to become unduly distracted,
To run toward any flimsy whim whenever contacted.

Life offers a cornucopia of attractions and pleasures,
Even if I never had any interest in hoarding treasures.
If any success, money, and recognition came my way,
I simply took these trinkets in stride and turned away.
Now my steps have slowed considerably in my walking;
Friends have died or gone away, so no need for talking.
I was approached recently with an awkward question,
One that felt uncomfortably like a compelling suggestion.
If I could live life over, would I repeat what had been?
I shake my head thinking: Once is enough, never again.