chewing on my conscience like a bone.

Those I tossed aside will wave to me,

all together, from a boat at sea.

While the dead ignore me, underground,

light will leak away without a sound.

Those who once walked with me on life’s path

will find nothing now except vague wrath.

Histories we shared in times uncertain

now appear a useless, tattered curtain.

Every pathway walked has disappeared,

shadows turned to darkness as I neared.

Soon I will be buried in the dirt,

probably amongst those I have hurt.

If only one could go back at the end

to smooth the surface or straighten the bend,

perhaps a life, in retrospect, could heal.

But that’s not in the cards. There’s no re-deal.