My Cousin Leighton

Beautiful ladies
Please do not weep
It was best that I go
Though your grief may be deep
Remember me young
And leading the pack
My life has been short
But don’t wish me back
Oh I loved to ride
Through the wind wild and free
And I loved the waves
And the sound of the sea.
Fast shining cars
With everything on‘em
Intimate bars
And how I could con‘em
My cycle in summer
Took me where I would go
My snowmobile roared
Through the deep winter snow.
How could you want me
To stay and grow old?
I’d hate to be feeble
And shiver with cold
I’d hate getting gray
And losing my hair
And have to wear glasses
And need nursing care
I’d hate getting tired
Just when the fun starts
So beautiful ladies,
Though it might break your heart
It’s better I go
While I’m still ahead
When there’s no joy in living
I’m better off dead.

© Lucille Falk Miller
Written on Memorial Day, 198_