I’ve had many friends to leave this world,
And I’ve lost loved ones too.
The sadness that their passing brings,
Can tear your heart in two.

As I look back on these events,
I see in each and every one.
Each time I think of all the things,
I wish I’d said or done.

I think of times I’ve said, “I’m tired”
Or “I just don’t have the time”
Or just things I put off doing,
Just so I could save a dime.

I see things that I wish I had done,
But hadn’t done them yet.
Each thing a brick within a wall,
Casting shadows of regret.

So many things that we put off,
As through this life we go.
Will someday come back to haunt us,
Brick by brick and row by row.

As we masons keep on building,
Each brick to us should remind.
The mighty walls that we are building,
Are ones someday we’ll have to climb.

Now is the time for mending fences,
And hatchets needing buried too.
A time will come when it’s too late,
To do the things we need to do.

Let’s tear down the walls in progress,
For it isn’t too late yet.
Avoid the consequence of standing,
In the shadows of regret.

Jack Roberts – December 30, 2002