Bud Lefebvre

I thought I’d have more time
to hail another sunrise
to share another sunset with my love
to take joy in my offspring
and watch their children grow

I thought I’d have more time
to track another bear
to face another elk
to throw out another line
and watch my grandson land the big one

I thought I’d have more time
but I never thought of this
of losing my strength
not remembering my name
lying still in a hospital bed

I can hear them talking now but cannot respond.
Do they know how much I love them?
Have I hugged and encouraged them enough?
I don’t know for sure because
I thought I’d have more time.