(This poem was tacked on B.J.’s bulletin board. It reflects his philosophy of life.)
I may never see tomorrow; there is no
written guarantee.
And things that happened yesterday
belong to history.
I cannot predict the future, and I cannot
change the past.
I have just the present moment, I must
treat it as my last.
I must use this moment wisely, for soon it
will pass away.
And be lost to me forever, as part of
yesterday.
I must exercise compassion, help the
fallen to their feet;
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an
empty life complete.
I must make this moment precious, for it
will not come again.
And I can never be content with things
that might have been
Kind words I fail to say this day, may ever
be unsaid
For I know not how short may be the path
that lies ahead.
The unkind things I do today may never
be undone.
And friendships that I fail to win may never
more be won.
I may not have another chance on
bended knee to pray
And thank you, God, with humble heart
for giving me this day.
I may never see tomorrow, but this
moment is my own.
It’s mine to use or cast aside; this choice
is mine alone.
I have just this precious moment in the
sunlight of today.
Where the dawning of tomorrow meets
the dusk of yesterday.