Stella Osif

When I Must Leave You
When I must leave you for a little while
please do not grieve and shed wild tears and
hug your sorrow to you through the years
but start out bravely with a gallant smile; and
for my sake and in my name live on and do
all things the same, feed not your loneliness
on empty days, but fill each waking hour in
useful ways, reach out your hand in comfort
and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you
and hold you near; and never, never be afraid
to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky!