The unceasing rhythm within my chest

pulses on as it has done for all

these many years. It is a constant reminder

 that my life has somehow survived

 yet another day and that I should cherish each

 minute and make use of every precious second.

I do not understand the true meaning

 of my presence here as I leave such thoughts

 to those that feel comforted by their

 belief that their god controls all

 and guides every aspect of their lives.

I do not scoff at their beliefs as I

 envy the comfort that they derive

from such a deep spiritual sanctuary.

One need only look about at the

wonders of this Earth to conclude that

powers beyond our imagination surely must exist.

So, I listen to the beat of my heart as I lay

silently in my bed and wonder how many

beats that may remain before I either pass

into the nothingness that spawned me or face

 the righteous judgment taught to me in my youth.

I breathe deeply savoring the sweetness of the

air that nourishes the blood flowing

 through my aging heart and dream of days

past when this heart was young.

In concert with my heartbeat I listen to

the sounds that provide the constant hum of

life in all of its forms. I hear the faint

 voice of my mother calling to me

 from some far distant place

 and my heart skips a beat.

Many decades ago I gave this old heart to

one that I knew would treat it with

 love and kindness and for all these many years

our hearts have beaten as one through the

joys and sorrows placed in our paths.

This heart beats on but it seems that it

grows wearier by the day.  If I allowed it

to stop but for a minute or two to rest, my life

 would vanish and the energy that I was born

 of would be released to seek shelter elsewhere.

I know that each beat of the heart is precious and

represents a tick of life’s clock. But “that

 which begins must end” and “that is as it shall be

for me as it was for those that came before me”.

I only hope that when my time comes

that I can look inward and give thanks

 at that very moment when I release my soul

  and prepare for the final beat of my heart.

©Copyright Charlie Gragg, June 5, 2010