Over twenty-five years since
With me she had discussed,
The order of our one day death –
The first and last of us.
 
The she, my sister Carolyn
Second child of us six.
I am the third of three sons
But the fourth child in the mix.
 
I was a young father of one
And a policeman at the time.
I figured I could best help my siblings
If going last was not a crime.
 
Carolyn thought she should be first,
I can’t remember why.
Of course, we knew we couldn’t choose
Nor did we ever try.
 
It was just one of many topics
We’d mentioned through the years.
Like the night we told ourselves spooky tales
And excited all our graveside fears.
 
Well, Carolyn passed away in 2008.
She was the first of us to go.
Now my diabetes has me wondering
Am I next? — But I don’t really know.
 
My kids are raised, I have no mate.
My last and great love has gone.
My health is tumbling more these days. 
Is there always a reason to carry on?
 
I’d be the second one to go out
Were today to be my last.
But God will say by tomorrow for sure
If today by then becomes my past.

Copyright©2009 Dan Wright