Howard Firkin
Receive this tiny burden and believe
I tried with all the strength of being weak
to act according to the words I speak
and failed. The time is come and I will leave,
but no one left expected any more.
You’ve known for many years this life would stop.
You didn’t know the when or how, but you
are not surprised, and you and me makes two:
at my age death is just a bubble pop,
the closing of a barely open door.

I want to say goodbye. I want to give
you something to remember; words so wise
that you’ll recall them every day you live,
but all I’ve ever said is lies. All lies.