One Final Journey Poem by Lynn F Clemons

The old man rested quietly
His breathing labored and well spaced
His long gray hair spread across the pillow
Partially covering his wrinkled face

As he stared off quietly, his mind raced back
For he was now very far away
He was re-living all the times he had
As he reached the end of his days

He remembers fondly his first days at school
His school chums and a romping recess
He remembers the little red haired girl
With pig-tails and a flowered dress

He recalled all his walks to school
Through the cold, the snow and rain
He remembered the time he broke his arm
The white plaster signed cast was worth the pain

His mind raced forward to his teenage years
The first girl he ever kissed
The favorite songs still in his head
All the great times he now surely missed

He remembers when he met his wife
The feeling that love was all he needed
He watched the birth of all his children
Knowing when his family was completed

Then he watched his children grow
And suddenly he was old
He knows now that life is very short
He knows the story's ending before it's told

The old man looked up through weary eyes
He saw a bright light that drew ever close
He heard voices gathered around his bed
He was surrounded by those he loves the most

The old man looked relaxed as he now has made his peace
He knows the end is very near
He embraces his final journey
His mind is free of fear

The old man took his last deep breath
And slowly spoke in a humbling way
His worn out hands clenched together tight
While saying a final prayer on his final day

Thank you Lord for all the days you gave me
Thank you for my children and my wife
Thank you for always watching over me
Thank you again, for my very life

Then the old man looked away
And quietly drifted off to eternity
He seemed to have a peace of mind
As he fulfilled what will be everyone's destiny