For Death, by John O'Donohue

I am including this beautiful poem on this blog because the more I think about and ponder my own death (whenever that may be) (and believe me, I am thinking about death a lot because of the "scare" I had this summer)......... the more I realize that I can't stay on the Bright Side of the Road until I come to complete and utter acceptance of what is inevitable for all of us. This poem (thanks, Dot!) is really making a difference for me on my own journey and I want to share it with you. From the moment you were born, Your death has walked beside you. Though it seldom shows its face, You still feel its empty touch When fear invades your life, Or what you love is lost Or inner damage is incurred. Yet when destiny draws you Into these spaces of poverty, And your heart stays generous Until some door opens into the light, You are quietly befriending your death; So that you will have no need to fear When your time comes to turn and leave, That the silent presence of your death Would call your life to attention, Wake you up to how scarce your time is And to the urgency to become free And equal to the call of your destiny. That you would gather yourself And decide carefully How you now can live The life you would love To look back on From your deathbed.