On My Own Terms

On my own terms,

I lived my life

Giving and taking,

both day and night

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

Some then mistaken,

some often right

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

Last right of refusal,

the one holding tight

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

The lows though not many,

the feelings they wrought bright

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

Words ever radiant,

the music so fair

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

The sweetness of children,

my soul they ensnared

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

The darkest of moments,

their message to share

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

A voice though unchosen,

inside me declares

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

As the days grew short,

and the visitors came

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

Their voices cry out,

now calling my name

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

One verse was enough,

no time to explain

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

My final breath,

a lasting refrain

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

The money fleeting,

any fame now gone

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

A 5-Star boardinghouse,

no curtains drawn

 

On my own terms,

I lived my life

With arms open wide,

and the peace to move on

 

On my own terms,

I ended my life

All that I’ve written,

—turned into song

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)