Oh, death.

I've seen you hiding in
the shadows
for ten years now.
Night or day,
it's never mattered.
You always catch
my gaze,
bringing me
to my knees,
then having me chase
after you like a fool.

I only wanted to
hold your hand,
to know a minute
of your peace.

But you'd always
be out of sight
a moment later,
yet never out of mind.

I thought I could outrun you.
600 miles is nothing though,
your presence hovering
past the Virginia mountains,
a white morning mist
crawling over the interstate.

I thought I could meet
you halfway
on a hundred-foot bridge,
in 95-degree heat,
a rushing creek
beckoning below.

And that's when it
dawned on me.

That's when fear
revealed its purpose.

I had to stand
at the precipe,
the deafening wind
quickening my pulse,
to understand you.

Not my enemy or friend,
just a passing visitor
who occasionally
calls my name.

Death, you know me well,
and someday I'll know you more.

__________________________________

Written 07/27/23 @ 8:55 PM