The Who, The What, The Why and The How

It’s not what I am, but who that counts.
Very soon my “What” will disappear;
titles and badges, name on the door,
those things won’t matter much anymore.
Pastor, counselor, mentor, friend,
confidant, preacher, they come to an end
at the bold stroke of midnight, October 22
and there’s not a thing that I can do,
even if I wanted to,
to change the process that signals an end
to the “Whats” in my life, even as I begin
to think more about the “Who” I will be
and the Where and the Why and the How I will see
the future unfold, in spite of me.

I’ve said goodbye to my colleagues and friends,
packed 52 boxes that I will send
to storage while Sue and I set our sights
on yet undiscovered adventures that might
redefine the “Who” and the “Where” we will be,
and maybe the “How,” in time we will see
just what this life has in store for me.
In the meantime, which isn’t much time at all,
I’ll move more boxes down the hall,
load up the Honda for the 25th run;
anyone who thinks that moving is fun
has exhausted their touch with reality
because at this moment, I clearly see
a new day dawning that will turn out to be
a shift from the usual “What” of me
to the “Who” and the “Why.” What will be will be.
Will you pass me the tape for box 53?

It’s not what I am, but who that counts.
As soon as I know, I will gladly announce
the future that will very soon knock on my door.
Til then, a hand, please with box 54.