"Last night was one of the longest unbroken sleep I've had for at least a year and I have only just got up from my bed. I guess that my good report at the hospital yesterday really set my mind at total peace and rest. It is hard to precisely describe what it's like to receive yet another reprieve when you are subject to a death sentence. You realise not to fool yourself into falsely believing it to be a pardon yet appreciate the extra time you have been bought. As I awoke this morning feeling good, I saw the sun light through my window and reflected over the year just past and the choppy waters negotiated by Sheila and I. Five minutes ago, I was looking through the many poems I have written over the past five years (freely accessible from my website: http://www.fordefables.co.uk/poems ) , when I came across 'Reflections' which is highly relevant to my current thoughts on life. After changing a few lines, making the sentiments expressed by me more contemporary, I re-offer it to you for your consideration:
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'Reflections' A short poem by William Forde: Copyright June, 2014.
'When I look back to my youth, did the budding being I then saw clearly emerge to my satisfaction or was I disappointed with the man who eventually turned up?
When I am breathing my last, shall I be able to look favourably upon those figures and faint images at the end of my bed, knowing that I loved and served them as 'a good man' or will I expire this life knowing myself as having been nothing more than the sad apology of that potential being I first saw in the puddle of my youth?
Who truly can measure the accuracy of one's memory and the machinations of one's mind, as our past is often coloured with false recall and our future with deceitful hopes.We can but serve up an honest self and steer a true course to the destiny that awaits.'"
Copyright: William Forde: July 13th, 2017.