Whoever made such a statement only the good die young
Only the good are remembered and their praises will be sung
Still only the living are important and advice here for every ageing woman and man
Do not regret that you had not died young you live for as long as you can.

Young people die for many reasons they die due to illness, accidents wars and the like
The young man a brave soldier under fire the young woman falls off of her bike
Some young people die due to illness and sometimes to an incurable disease
The Reaper is one who is not ageist one might say he choose whom he please.

Only the good die young some will tell you with such I could never agree
The truly brave are true survivors at least that's how it would seem to me
Some live to be over one hundred their love of life keeps them living on
Their gift of life they don't wish to surrender though all of their old friends to the Reaper long gone.

Only the good die young some will tell you though the dead are silent where they lay
And in your prayers remember the living the dead won't hear you when you pray
But salute those with the will to keep living those who show their years in their gray
Though the Reaper decides on our time span and all things of life he claims one day.

Francis Duggan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/only-the-good-die-young-3/