Death Came Knocking At My Door

Death showed himself to them yesterday…casually walking in and changing realities…and lives…the way he always does…

I don’t think he’s so bad…or so unwanted…maybe just misunderstood…

I’m told…I have no heart…no warmth for those in his path…

But…I’ve seen him…I’ve watched him do his work…and I admire his touch…

He is confused with Illness…Tragedy…Pain…but he has none of their traits…

He is gentle…and loving…and fast…very fast…

I know…that he has never caused anyone…pain…or fear…when he reaches out…and takes…

He took my son…from a tortured…immature body…

He took my friends…out of the hell…they had…created for themselves…

He took a young girl…away from tubes…and catheters…and respirators…

He took my grandmother…away from cancer…that had stolen her light…and hope…

He took my grandfather…from paralysis…and dependence…

And he took a man…who lived a good life…an independent life…from a painful place…a derogatory place…where he could have lost his dignity…if he had stayed too long…

Death is beautiful…loving…kind…

It is the One who sets the stage…for his entrance…that frightens me…