The poems of Jeanette Hardage often express her hope in a heavenly future. The poem below, handwritten by in April 1997 and never before published, instead anticipates possible future joys on earth. At first the reader may get an impression of disappointment with life, until the last line points out the potential for fulfillment that we all still have, and gently encourages us to stop procrastinating and live life to its fullest.
Not Yet
Life is filled with
books not read,
roads not traveled,
studies not undertaken,
languages not learned.Life is filled with
walks not taken,
places not seen,
pictures not painted,
symphonies unheard.Life is filled with
melodies not sung,
stories not penned,
flowers not enjoyed,
sunsets not watched.Life is filled with
strangers not met,
sorrowers not comforted,
winners not congratulated,
strugglers not encouraged.Life is filled with
words of love unsaid,
letters not written,
friends not visited,
acts of kindness not done.Not yet.