Walking Through Lafayette Cemetery (I Now Lay Dead)

No matter what I have said Or even what I have done, No matter the victories that I have won; I now lay dead. No matter the books that I have read No matter the words that I have written, Even the times that I've been smitten; I now lay dead. No matter of my worries or of my dread No matter of what I have seen or where I've gone, Even when I said, I will keep going on; I now lay dead. No matter that I've tasted the finest cheeses and bread No matter in my hand I held the finest bouquet of wine, Remembering with King's I once did dine; I now lay dead. No matter the life that I had led No matter when I helped the poor and the sad, Even if I was hated and I made others mad; I now lay dead. No matter if I had dreamed of years ahead No matter my plans for a tomorrow, Waiting to greet it with smiles and no sorrow; I now lay dead. No matter the thickness of the thread No matter the age or wear on the headstone, The epitaph is written I am all alone; I now lay dead Destiny now leads me to my final bed As my soul finally and reluctantly grieves, Someone else will now rake the leaves; I now lay dead. Randy L. McClave