Upon Reflecting

by Sharon Spurlin

When I die, I want to become fall air
And swish the leaves.
When I go, I want to be everywhere
That I have grieved

Leaving.

When I go back, I want to  tell
About that life
Where children’s spirits dwell
In leaves and kites.

Upon arriving

I will say when you go back
With assignment
Shore up your own spirit
With the contentment

Of children laughing.

We go to leave the world a better place
At least for one.
There isn’t a moment to waste.
Make time for fun.

Upon arriving ...

The greatest gift, upon arrival
Is memory lost.
We begin again without past rivals,
Free of cost

Free, and freeing.

And when I go back to the universe
So vast, so everywhere
Saying, I with this little verse
I will be with all my friends

I grieve leaving.