Love While You Can
Dale Hensarling
by Dale Hensarling
Love while you can.
While the days are driven by youthful vigor
And the nights chase quickly after the dawn,
Do not lie alone
Or on the sideline stand.
Love while you can.
Find the peace of a friendly hand,
The smile of a life you’ve walked alongside,
along warm beaches and soothing tides.
Seize it! Do not take life in stride.
Do not wait,
debate,
question fate,
or fear mistakes.
As the moments slip away
like hourglass sands,
Love while you can.
While you can,
Give kindness,
Give forgiveness,
Give laughter.
Love simple things.
Speak softly,
Speak gently,
Love family,
Love friends,
Love your enemies.
For soon after there may be no second chance.
Life flees like a vapor.
Love while you can.
Learn the secret of life,
That through all the smiles and strife,
the sun still rises,
refreshing winds still whisper,
and cool rains shower every land.
You are not forsaken.
Have courage and
Love while you can.
Dale Hensarling is a middle school math teacher in Laveen, AZ, as well as published poet and author. In the summer of 2024, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery and treatment at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. He is currently awaiting results to determine whether the cancer remains active.
