The Map of Days Outworn — a poem of the journey of life
A LaJemme inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet 68 and Saint Paul’s lament in 2 Timothy 4
A map of everything that I have done
Is written in the lines upon my face,
And each sharp trace reminds me that I won.
I am not done — I will not be erased.
Each valley and each mountaintop;
Each joy that brings me close to you;
Each sorrow, too, each sudden drop;
I will not stop — I’ll make it through.
And, in the end, my days outworn,
I will not mourn the love I gave;
I will be brave in sun and storm.
I am reborn — I won’t behave.
For I am not a flower, I won’t wilt;
I will not melt like snow in summer’s day;
I go my way, and every step I’ve willed;
My path I’ve built — myself I’ll not betray.
How far I’ve come, I’ve barely yet begun
To learn, become myself, to find my place.
O Love, embrace, declare it all well done,
That I have won — for I finished the race.