THANK GOD...WE DON'T HAVE TO BEAR OUR BURDENS, FOR I KNOW I COULDN'T. I GIVE THEM ALL TO JESUS...AMEN AND HALLELUJAH! THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

“Now I have lived a long life burdened with care” — that line carries the girth of its meaning by definition of the balance of this poem. I choose the burden with care, John, because it feels human and good, even though heavy, scratchy, crushing, too — the crush can contain a lot of humanity. You take on heavy and important subjects. I like that. ~~ djl

Yes, very well stated. But referring to what you have done with your life that makes you quite a bit different from all of those you describe as being "in misery." Your poetic output shows me that you are not suffering and putting it in your poetry like so many others do.

In almost every case where I see people in miserable condition and not dying with the proverbial, in their sleep without any pain. It is a result of their earlier lifestyles and in some cases, something hereditary like cancer, that they should have paid attention to very early now that many cures are available to lessen pain and suffering.

To spend a lot of time with what lies beyond is rather strange, since nobody knows what it really is. That's why I'm glad I experienced all I could in this life and continue to learn. It's all I have and I don't want something really beautiful on the other side waiting for me. I've done my time here and I'm happy with it the way it turned out.

Ron

The mystery of what lies beyond the shroud still is not one that is open to us. But we have small glimpses of what awaits us that suggest there is much more there than here. Well stated, John.