You Are Dead Poem by Randy McClave

When you were living how did you live
Did you help others and did you give,
And when others needed compassion and care
Please tell me, were you ever there.
Were you there to help when a friend fell down
Or were you always off in a different town,
When you and others were in the same city
Please tell me, did you always sought out drama and pity.
Did you keep every promise that you ever made
Or did your words in secret you just forbade,
And when you gave a promise or your oath had been told
Please tell me, did you pay back every debt you owed.
On honesty and lies did you constantly teeter
Were you known as an adulterer, or a cheater,
Of anyone have you ever been embarrassed or ashamed
Please tell me, was someone else always blamed.
Did you always thought of you and put yourself first
Did you think compared to you no one ever had it worse,
Tell me please when you were still living
Did you forget the pain and heartache that you were giving.
When you had worn a black mourner's dress
Did you still not ask the departed for their forgiveness,
Do you not regret or have guilt for the hurt you had done
Please tell me, did you do it because you could, and it was fun.
Now with my book, my ledger I now close it shut on you
After reading it all I know now what I must sadly do,
And after listening to all that you have done and said
Please tell me, how should I treat you since now you are dead.

Randy L. McClave