Before I Travel Down That Road

(Written in November, 2002)

Note: This was the last poem Peggy wrote during her lifetime. She had not written poetry since the 1970's and, in 2002, when I asked her to write a poem, her response was this, "Oh goodness! I haven't written a poem in years! I don't think I can still do it!" I had to laugh at the seriousness in her tone, but reminded her... "Once a poet, always a poet... and you know it!" Below, is the poem that was born from this challenge. Yes, Peggy (Smith) Warman Hake remained a poet until the end... (Kelly Warman-Stallings)

Before I travel down that road tomorrow
I need to look back where I have been.
I need to study carefully my days of the past
I may not want to travel that same road again.

But I really can't complain about the choices I made
Nor the road of life that I chose.
I remember those days with much love and pride
Because five times I was given a rose....

From those five roses sprung eight little buds
With a rainbow of colors to light my day.
As time went by, three little petals fell,
Scattering sunshine along the way.

Now in my senior and golden years of my life
There are more flowers to help brighten my day
I have a loving husband, stepchildren, step-grandhildren
.... daughters & sons-in-laws
To make the most gorgeous family bouquet....

So looking back through the telescope of time
I know now I would not change one thing
I'll just continue walking that same road I chose
And not be surprised by what the future may bring!