For the love of Death

As with all things

meaningful,

death will arrive

to claim us;

is already here

as the potential
energy within which
we exist.

Waiting for us

at every inhale

and exhale;

in every desert,

mountaintop,

flowing stream,

and lush

wild-flowered valley,

She is with us

breathing her open

and closing heart

into our pores. 

Try though we might,

we cannot push

Her from our house,

cannot force Her 

from our lungs.

We are useless against Her.

For death visits

when She will.

Beckoned 

or resisted

by the hinges on

our hallowed doors

she makes entrance,

entwines her arms around us

carries us on her back

into the unknown

without burden or regret.