by Jobie Weetaluktuk

Created on: October 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 12, 2010

If I die today, would it matter at all? Would I cling to breath or be taken up by the light?

The sky should not be dark nor gloomy. The torrents of rain should be stitched tightly away. The flash of lightening should be kept from revealing the remorseful eyes. The roar of thunder should bit its' own wretched tongue.

If I die today, would the sun shine for me?

I'd feel warm for the one last time. My corpse would anyway. The birds would sing the delightful songs and I would hear and understand them finally. The gentle breeze would caress my hair and rough it a bit as she often likes to do.

If I die today, would I conduct myself in a worthy manner?

Far be it from me that I should be caught with my pants down at the john at the final moment. Alfred Hitchcock never conceived that indignity for his pawns. Would my eyes betray my deepest fear and my voice fail me? Would I wail against the wolves of Stalins' deathbed?

If I die today, would I hear the voice of the Shepard and see the boyish charge of father Abraham?

Home, I come to the Promised Land to dwell forever. To the pleasure of my mind and all my senses, paradise eternal would be unveiled. I shall have moments to enjoy with the heroes of the times, the true and faithful heroes.

If I die today, would you miss me? Would it matter that I had preferred to go that today?

Would you remember my jokes and that laugh I had? Would you rather forget the hurts, I've caused you as burdens lost? I would like to be in your memory, in those brief reflective moments. Moments once so mundane, now sweet and fleeting.

If I die today, would think of me? Would you wonder what I'm doing, somewhere not so far away?

Would I be really dead? Would you join me someday? You'd hear me laughing as I chase father Abraham. "Father Abraham, let me have the honor of welcoming this one" I'd shout. "Surely, you can outrun an old man" he'd say with the elation in his voice. "Surely, you can outrun an old man." We'd all be running for each other, to join our laughter already in a joyful embrace.

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