When Albert Bellmeister reached 79 years old,
His Doctor told him he had only 12 months to live.
He had an uneventful life if the truth be told.
Sadly the tumour on his brain was inoperative.
Albert took the horrid news with dignity and poise.
He announced to the blue sky that he would catch the bus.
He put on his best white shirt without making a noise.
He tied his tie as neatly as he could without a fuss.
He even polished his shoes after scrubbing his feet.
He was ready to catch the bus that stopped down the street.
After having a boiled egg he started walking,
He headed for the old bus stop on Destiny Street.
In the bus stop he stared at all the people talking.
They were all so busy, he smiled and felt complete.
An dear old lady asked him what he was smiling for.
“ I’m smiling , Albert said, because I’m almost finished,
This is my last Bus ride. I won’t be back anymore.“
“ I hope you have a safe journey ”,the old lady wished.
“Safety is not my concern, said Albert,” I am done.”
With that he boarded the bus smiling at everyone.
The bus took Albert close by the Pacific Ocean,
He even shed a tear for the beauty of the waves.
The bus passed the shops filled with active men and women,
He smiled at the children but thought they looked like slaves.
At Lakeside he called to the driver to let him off.
On the last step Albert tipped his hat to everyone.
He reached a small park called King Park and started to cough.
Accepting that this was a fitting place in the Sun.
He sat down on a park bench and looked up to the sky.
He took a handful of sleeping pills, he wanted to die.
The police found his body with a note in his shoe.
The note read: “To my dear Christine. Oh how I loved you,
I never told you often enough but it was true.
I worshipped you always and I just hope that you knew.
I guess the only thing that really matters at all,
Is if a man can say he found Love he can stand tall.”
The days drifted by like white feather on a wave,
And a lady called Christine placed a rose on his grave.
-
Author:
David Wakeling (
Offline) - Published: June 20th, 2025 00:02
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 10
Offline)
Comments5
Wonderful! A life in a nutshell with all it's sadness, love and courage. Deeply humane!
Thank you so much.
A sad poem to some but I don't see it that way. In his own statement he said that (if a man can say the he found love he can stand tall) At his age he had found what gave purpose to his life and goal accomplished he could go in peace. I found this a peaceful poem of parting. Written in good rhyme I found it poignant that it departed from this rhyme scheme at the end in a typical sonnet fashion from an abab scheme to the aa sonnet like ending. Nicely done David
Thank you so much.Yes he was ready so why suffer.Thank you for your insightful comments.Very welcome
Such a tender, solemn, and exquisitely human poem that reads like a gentle farewell wrapped in quiet ritual. There’s a bittersweet grace in Albert’s final journey: the white shirt, the boiled egg, the polished shoes. Each detail feels sacred, part of a personal liturgy as he prepares for his last ride. The name Destiny Street almost feels too perfect, like the world itself is giving him permission to let go. And then, the note. It’s the quiet heart of it all; his love for Christine, unspoken yet unwavering, like a prayer whispered too late but still heard. That line: “if a man can say he found Love he can stand tall,” might just be the most quietly powerful summation of a life lived with valuable depth. 🙏🏻🕊️
Wow thank you so much amigo. You certainly have written an inspired critique and it is correct and very welcome indeed
Hey, that quite alright amigo🕊️🙏🏻
A beautiful write, sad, touching, peaceful, he found love, job done, enjoyed the read
Thank you so much
You are very welcome
Enjoyable Read and a Story with a Message. Nice one.
Thank you for your kind critique
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