The Only Reason I Wish To Keep Living Poem by Francis Duggan

The only reason I wish to keep living is the fear of death I do fear
All this talk of a life hereafter is only based on hearsay 'twould appear
Many believe that their faith is their salvation and that god we can never deceive
But they need a god to believe in we believe in on what we want to believe.

A good friend of mine passed on lately I see his box put in the ground
his wife and family grieved at his graveside where his friends were gathered around
The presiding priest offered prayers for his soul for him there was no need to pray
In life he was good and kind hearted but now in the dark earth he lay.

It is only my humble opinion that heaven or hell is not out there
It's been longer than I care to remember since I knelt by my bedside in prayer
The grim reaper one day will claim me the same one who claims one and all
The most powerful people on this Planet one day have to answer his call.

The only reason I wish to keep living is the fear of death that and nothing more
I do not believe in a life hereafter our life is on this Earthly Shore
The swallows are above the parkland I hear them chirp as they do fly
I envy them their sense of freedom the freedom of the open sky.