A Mile in Death's Shoes

I asked you once what it is you saw.
The fields of war, empty rooms of a hospital floor
Perhaps the crumbled forms that are the victims of your work.
Did you attend the funerals of those you took?
Or perhaps you sent a messenger to overlook the last of your deed.
You responded to me that what you see is more than just these cursory scenes.
That I have failed to consider your vast and endless hospitality.
The souls you accept, the willingness of your mind to not be prejudiced.
You offered me the chance to see as you see, to be as you be, to live once as death so that life could be clear.
I accepted the offer, with more than a little hesitancy.
I arrived on the day we had pre-arranged.
I had no idea what I could expect.
I remember it all, so clear as today.
The hands of the sick, the laughter of the free.
The healthy ones, the crying ones, the lonely ones, the prideful ones, the smallest ones;
All freed by a touch, a last gasp, a dying wish that the earth may yet fulfill.
And I saw the world, just as you see:
The way it is, the way it ought to be, the cost of living, the debt we all come to pay.
And
Through the eyes of Death I have learned:
The glory of Living.
And, in Living I have learned:
To let things die
By letting that which must pass
Die
I have found the limitless of my Love
And, in Life, as in Death
I have learned that only in Love will we have no limits.

The Birthday Gift

When the package came you seemed so bright.
A birthday gift for you tonight.
You tore the wrapper from the box at once.
You couldn’t wait to see what it was.
You hoped for a toy, perhaps a new game, a ticket to a show, a CD, anything…
What you got surprised both you and me.
A set of wings, as beautiful as any I ever did see.
The colors were bright and the fit, so right.
And you tried them, with a smile so large
I couldn’t believe how happy you seemed.
I encouraged you to try and take flight.
You were tentative at first, not sure how to get it just right.
I offered instructions, when you needed them most,
And in no time, Time, you were swaying the breeze, floating high above the trees,
Flapping once, flapping twice, singing to the sky
And then you were gone and I was left behind.
Through it all I never realized how heavy I had gotten, how tired I was.
In the mirror I saw me, older than I once believed.
And I smiled at your memories that you left for me.
Ah, time old friend, you flew away from me, though you left me with quite a smile.
To think, Time, that you even gave me of your time was simply enough for me.
And this time I will remember to breathe and appreciate what you do for me.