While You Can

[Lincolnshirelass]

While you can speak the words that you meant to say,
while you can, forgive, while you can, embrace,
while you can, not next week, not tomorrow, today,
before regret takes the last chance's place.
Before the last chance is wrested away,
while you still have time, you still have grace,
a chance to forgive, to embrace, to speak,
not forever too-lateness, barren and bleak.

While you can, pause and see things through others' eyes,
while you can, acknowledge what you denied,
while you can, breathe deeply, apologise,
for all that was said, or unsaid, or implied.
Believe me, I've no wish to moralise,
None to preach, or to take a side,
just to remember that life is short,
but so long to live with a haunting thought.