i hear my dad cough downstairs
he is fifty years old and
     i realize
that we all will die someday

will i die with grace?
   will i die naturally or by my own hand?
     will anyone miss me?
       will i have done anything for the world?

                                         i am but a child
i've lived for only a decade and a few years
      
and yet
            i'm sure
i will not make it to fifty