Through age and infirmity,
  my voice cries loud

With feelings still timeless
  eyes not to cloud

The Reaper waits patient,
  his claim has been filed

From outside he savors,
   inside I smile

The music has changed,
  with my heart still in step

My vision most clear
  no lens to correct

As days take their toll
  on what’s left of this shell

What spirit embodies
—death never quells

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2017)