Death of a Poet…

If you had a heart,
but didn’t show it,
if you were given the seed of love,
but couldn’t grow it,
if you hid all your faces,
in the darkest of places,
and died,
would anyone know it?

If you wanted,
but you never tried.
If you could have spoke truth,
but just lied,
If your voice became silent,
and your impulses violent,
and you died,
would anyone cry?

If you squandered your time,
and your wealth,
If you damaged your mind
and your health,
If you never did see,
what a joy,
life could be,
and you died,
what of your legacy?

If all you could do was give up,
If you locked all Chance’s
doors shut.
If you were closed off,
from the world,
potential never unfurled,
then you died,
would you leave grit or pearl?

If you went through your life
without care,
turned the fire in your eyes,
to blank stares.
If all you could create was pain,
changed all bright skies to rain,
and then died,
why remember your name?