Picture-Perfect Poem by Joe Fraccalvieri

There'll be no fancy fanfare, on the day that I depart

No sculptures of me for descendants to see... No statues in bronze...
No portraits depicting my likeness, displayed by any art

There'll be no moment of silence...
No voices raised in praise
There'll be no words that are written of me
on paper-- in sentence, or phrase

As starlight starts to dwindle and fade
and the dark of night gives way...
No stirring speeches of faith will be made, upon that fateful day

There'll be no debts that are left to pay...
No marching band.... No grand parade

Time and tide won't be delayed...
There'll be no need to kneel and pray

I leave without having finished it all... Never tasting a morsel of fame
And all that was and forever will be is still here-- remaining the same

The sun will still rise, as it does every day...
The birds will still sing… The children will play

It was a day such as this that I kept in my heart
when into this life I first came...
To remember the world as it was from the start--
healing the sick and the lame

With nothing to choose... No one to blame...
The human race has paid its dues, and I have played its game

From the infinite-colored palette of Life,
The Master has drawn every name
And I thank the Lord, all the days of my strife,
for placing me within the frame