What Would I Leave Behind?

Would I leave behind a grieving wife;
Who forever I promised to protect
In the comfort of my arms?
Would I leave behind children;
more dear and precious to me
than the rarest of diamonds?
Would I leave behind kids;
Happy, laughing kids that
belonged to the future?
What will I,
a mere man of modest means
leave behind to make my mark?

Would I leave behind a sterling
example of fine masculinity
or,
the image of a failed man?
Would I leave behind a vision,
Or
Blinded eyes that saw no hope?
Would I leave behind a thriving enterprise
Or
Bills for debt collectors to seek?
What would I,
A man of virtue but not of wealth
leave behind?

I left,
A daughter, who through marriage found fortune
A son,who through sour wine met his ruin
Another daughter, for whom I chose wrong and
have forever wronged,
Another son, who chose wrong and had to be forever
content with his choice.

Grandchildren who were better
eggs than their parents
Baring one, the rest seemed bright.
That black sheep,
though potential outwardly shines
Has fallen prey to the evil of time.
A wayward soul lost to times unknown
But like the sun that rises east,
She too will rise in time.

Take care, take care beloveds
Cherish all you have left.
Say all those things you ache to
and hold no regrets.
For out there, when your time is up
Don't be a fool like me
Who met his end,
deprived of food and family.
But be brave and wise,
And say goodbye in time