The Dash by Linda Ellis

THE DASH
BY L. ELLIS

I READ OF A MAN WHO STOOD TO SPEAK
AT THE FUNERAL OF A FRIEND.
HE REFERRED TO THE DATES ON HER TOMBTONE
FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END.

HE NOTED THAT FIRST CAME THE DATE OF BIRTH
AND HE SPOKE OF THE LAST DATE WITH TEARS,
BUT HE SAID WHAT MATTERED MOST OF ALL
WAS THE DASH BETWEEN THE YEARS.

FOR THAT DASH REPRESENTS ALL THE TIME THAT
SHE HAD SPENT ALIVE ON EARTH
AND NOW ONLY THOSE THAT LOVED HER
KNOW WHAT THAT LINE IS WORTH.

FOR IT MATTERS NOT HOW MUCH WE OWN
THE CARS..THE HOUSE..THE CASH.
WHAT MATTERS IS HOW WE LIVE & LOVE
AND HOW WE SPEND THE DASH.

SO THINK ABOUT THIS LONG AND HARD,
ARE THERE THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE?
FOR YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT,
YOU COULD BE AT "DASH MID-RANGE".

IF WE COULD JUST SLOW DOWN ENOUGH
TO CONSIDER WHAT'S TRUE AND REAL,
AND ALWAYS TRY TO UNDERSTAND
THE WAY OTHER PEOPLE FEEL.

AND BE LESS QUICK TO ANGER,
AND SHOW APPRECIATION MORE AND LOVE
THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES
WE'VE NEVER LOVED BEFORE.

IF WE TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT
AND MORE OFTEN WEAR A SMILE
REMEMBER THAT THIS SPECIAL DASH
MIGHT ONLY LAST A WHILE.

SO WHEN YOUR EULOGY HAS BEEN READ
WITH LIFE'S ACTION TO REHASH..
WOULD YOU BE PROUD OF THE THINGS
THEY SAY ABOUT OUR DASH?