Too Late

At times I thought I might
At times I believed I would
At times it seemed impossible--
Still, I wished I could.

But then the smothering thoughts
Entered my puzzled mind
And stayed--till my burning desire
Became only a fading spark

I had lost before I tried to win!
Yet, I wonder what the outcome
Might have been had I really tried
Though now I'll never know--
For I have died!

written 1979--published in The
Anthology of American Poetry 1983.
Copyright(c)Marie L Sellers ---