Crippled by Life

Silence is when your head is screaming,

Silence is when the world is dead.

Silence is when your dreams are fading,

Leaving you alone instead.

Patience is in life, your friend,

In death, just as before.

And when your heart is silent then,

Be fearless, be patient,

There might be more.

Heaven blessed, or hell-fire doomed,

This world is no more yours.

Unadorned you will remain at last,

Composed of happiness and woes.

And when the test is taken then,

What will you remember?

Will it be the dreams once held?

Or the day you lost them?

Will it be the days when life was love?

Or time under grief and shadow?

Will it be the hope of a good today?

Or the expectation of tomorrow?

Will it be the justice you did to others?

Or the justice done you?

Will it be the memories of bonds longstanding?

Or the death of all you loved?

What will you be thankful for?

But for transitory joy and pain?

For the purpose first conceived?

Or the aim that last was lost?

Which would you be glad of more?

A life of greater feeling?

Or a life that you did lead,

With virtue and good faith?

Further more, why even ask?

Could the two not simply be?

Must it be one, without the other?

Could we not simply, just have both?