h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

THE END IS THE BEGINNING

by Skinny Rowland

Old friends live on in my memory,
as do the days of long, long ago,
and as I grow older and feebler,
so do those memories grow.

The laughter and voices grow clearer,
the faces seem to draw near,
and I know that I am again closer,
to the ones I once held so dear.

Old friends have gone on before me,
to a place where again we shall meet,
when life has made its full circle,
and our stay here on earth is complete.

Visions of heaven may differ,
as to what each may have in his mind,
but I'm sure that God has arranged it,
so it's what each expected to find.

So should a child be taken,
don't feel he's been taken away,
he was just a part of another ones heaven,
as he will be of yours one day.

Should the time come for an old friend to leave you,
and you feel that fate is unkind,
just remember your heaven includes him,
and you are not that far behind.

So weep if you will at misfortunes,
as you smile when things go your way,
and as you ask the Lord's help with your troubles,
remember the good when you pray.

For life here on earth is the schooling,
and just a fraction at best,
of all ahead which awaits you,
if you succeed in passing the test.

So love and be loved by many,
make each person your friend,
for the life here on earth is short,
and the real life begins at its end.

Hi Kes,
This poem was reproduced by Infinity on an entry, with the kind permission of Skinny Rowland's sister.
The entry is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A598557
and I have told her that I am bringing the poem here, so others may enjoy.
Please dedicate it to Infinity {U166033} and myself.
Thank you dear