Faster than
a flash in a pan
I’m tossed in a can
the discarded man
who made spectacular plans.

Plans that spanned
beyond human command,

a hopeful hearted poet
alone, sinking in quicksand
the sweet gentleman,

a noble sacrifice of convenience
because my momentum
was already carrying me there.

So, in caring I shared
sweet smiles and jokes
all my thoughts and my hopes
to help you all cope
while I go boldly on into
that last dark night
you were all dreading.

So when I die
do not let our nation’s
flag fly high
a symbol of separating humans
by maps and accidental locations,
don’t sound soldiers glory with rifles

Point your pens
to the heavens
where dreams of space begin
send me into oblivion
with love
and hopes for exploration
and in my name
write a better
kinder world
then the one
I am leaving.