"Left to Live" Inspired by Thirty to Sixty Days:

Left to Live

If I had thirty days left to live,

I wouldn’t care what other people think or say

about my looks or laugh or lipstick.

I wouldn’t worry so much

about future pay days and purchases.

I wouldn’t wait out

for an apology I think I’m owed.

I wouldn’t come up with

stinging barbs to say next time someone is rude.

I would regret not competing

for fear of them saying I didn’t win.

I would regret pretending I’ll send a card next year

instead of sending a belated birthday wish now.

I would regret listening halfheartedly,

letting distractions detract from our last phone call.

I would regret not doing the things I wanted to try

because I thought I could do them later.

Sometimes drastic events are required

to remember what it means to live.