Susan Diane Bateman

to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave

an afterglow of smiles

when life is done.

I'd like to leave

an echo whispering

softly down the ways.

Of happy times

and laughing times

and bright

and sunny days.

I'd like the tears

of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun.

Of happy memories that

I leave when life is done.