death and life

Blind emotion lends a helpless hand
offering superficial comfort in a lost reality.
Sensing tragedy’s dreadful approach
the air becomes icy, the sky darkens.
The arrival of fear’s calling at four a.m.
awakens the blood coursing through tightened veins
enlivens the numbed fingertips
mobilizes the paralyzed limbs.
Life imitated in the throes of death.

Awareness lends a helping hand
offering truth and peace in infinity’s blur.
Knowing tragedy has already arrived
the air becomes warmer, the sky brightens.
The closure of farewell’s bidding at four p.m.
calms the shaken nerves of a body wearing exhaustion
soothes the aching heart
relieves the rigid muscles.
Death realized in the throes of life.