I wish

I wish that when they lay me in the ground,
my corpse is mine but the pallbearers yours.
When I’ve shut my eyes
and sleep eludes me,
let slumber be mine but the dream be yours.

As I walk life’s roads,
climb steep mountain ledges,
As sweat flows down in torrents,
I wish that fatigue be mine but the rest be yours;
each step my own but the journey’s end be yours.

With every rung I climb in the ladder of years,
my life be mine but its wisdom yours;
as I wrestle with struggle,
let the effort be mine but the triumph be yours.

I wish that when they lay me in the ground,
my corpse is mine but the pallbearers yours.