When I Finally Close My Eyes
by CJ Heck

When I close my eyes
for the last time
in this lifetime,
I want to have lived,
really lived.
I want to know
I've tasted
the smorgasbord of life.
relishing the good
and spitting
the bad back out,
knowing at least
I tried it.
When I'm done here,
I won't have to wonder
whether someone caught
the kiss I threw,
I'll know.
I don't want to leave here
with my heart as empty
as my pockets have been
so I've opened my heart
and I'll live each day
as though it were my last.
I want to know,
without a doubt,
that I've left
something of me behind,
something that's good,
not regret
for never making a difference.
When I close my eyes
for the very last time,
I would like someone
to remember

I was here.