THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

       Let’s say I’m nearing death and soon:
       What then am I most likely to regret?
       I think it might be all these projects strewn
       About this room, whose deadlines are unmet—

       My aims and aspirations incomplete,
       My hopes and promises still unfulfilled
       Now bound for ignominious defeat
       My chalice of vitality being spilled.

       And yet, for all I know, this is not so,
       And I’ve still time and opportunity
       To carry out my missions and to grow
       Accomplished, leaving as a legacy

            Whatever fruits of genius I can fashion
            Expressing both intelligence and passion.

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