At Aquinnah on our little stretch of beach
after I'd floundered
half an hour in the surf
happily tasting the salt Atlantic
in my mouth
I stood there chatting
with a neighbor
sitting beside her spouse
both of them smiling
clearly enraptured as they watched
their young grandchildren
play in the shallows
I'd been told
that he was dying
and to myself I thought
how wonderful for them
to have this day
this time to savor at the last
the carefree joy
of children playing by the sea
the happy cries
of grandchildren no less
it's just what I
would wish upon myself
and if I'm fortunate
enough to have a choice
I'd like to think
an end like this
is all I'd ask