The Greatest Day Of My Life Poem by Chris Embrick

The greatest day of my life
Will be the last and not the first
When I succumb one day to death
And my shell rides in the hearst
No doubt many born soon after wither
Their kinder days their first not last
Some have goals for a greater future
Some forsake the future for the past
Days are filled with laughter, turmoil
Not all greet each day with bliss
Love often defines the journey
Shows the road to happiness.

The day I will be most joyful
Will be the last and not the first
Though many seem to disagree
And think the days should be reversed
Mourners will gather around the casket
Reflecting on my status, life
Some who share the greater truth
Will know I never shunned the strife
Some could care less gone or living
Come out of duty, family ties
Friends cannot be truly counted
By the number near who cries.

The greatest love I will encounter
Will be the last and not the first
Most people shun the thought of death
Fear to face life's final curse
But I care not the souls who gather
Look down into the grave's deep hole
It's not money that's made me rich
But the treasure in my soul
Everyone must face this ending
Walk this final road alone
What counts is not what you'll be taking
But what you leave when life is gone.

So I don't fear that final hour
When last breath I finally take
Nor care who gathers at my passing
Those who linger at the wake
But I won't hurry life to finish
To get to that glorious day
All in all life's been pleasant
And happier the more I stay
But at the end respect my wishes
Dare not mourn but smile and laugh
Here lies a man content with dying
The greatest day he lived his last.