how will I know
when my time is up
will there be a signal,
a nod, a gesture
that I’ve lingered a
moment too long
and what will I say
will I argue
will I plead
Look…
too many pages
in my notebook
are still blank
Wait…
perhaps you
have me confused
with someone else
someone shorter
someone older
someone more content
to leave, than I.
perhaps I will bargain
the world needs something
anything that will stand
on its own and
not be flung into the earth
or reduced to smoldering ash.
~elizabeth adams
