We race to meet death at the appointed time

Death is kind but keeps a pocket watch

We rush past, and walk away, and walk toward it

Somehow still meeting her when needed

The toothbrush sitting wet on the countertop

Need to clean the faucet

Where is that cloth?

It’s never there when needed

People take that last breath when you least expect it

It comes as swiftly as the rain when the sun was just shining

We don’t know, we never know, but it’s never expected

Even when it is

You have to tie your shoes, and brush your hair

Don’t forget to eat some vegetables

The trash bag is heavy in your hand

And the light bulb goes out above the stove

We cook food, we buy it premade

We stare at the shelves lined with color and bright lights

We play games, we listen to music and others laughing

We pet our cats, we clean their litter boxes, and stare at open cupboards

The slow wait for death to come

The sudden message that’s he’s here

The people left behind, we know they are gone

But we look over and still wait for those eyes to open

The driving on autopilot, the glaring lights in our eyes

The white noise of the road droning on and on

The music station turned on but volume turned off

Parking, sitting there staring out the window, unable to move

Sometimes death comes without notice

And other times without closure

And nothing is there but a silent phone

And nothing is there but tears and some ashes

Off to work in the wind and rain

Smile under all the strain

Pretend we’re okay as we say it’s fine

I don’t suppose they would care the need

Anger comes quickly, and tears often spring

And for others the day goes on like normal, but festers deep inside

We yell and we speak softly

We say strange things, and forget we ever said them

Our love lies dead on the bed, growing colder by the minute

Answer all the phone calls

Reply to every letter

Click each button

Write each smile, with every frown

Endless Euphemisms, repetitive cliches

Smile and hug, cry alone in bed

That pain in the middle of the chest

It ebbs and flows, unceasing

Pour soap on in each pot

Run the water until it’s hot

Run the water, run it continuously

Stare at the soap running down the metal

Words that mean nothing, but sound like everything

Time moves when we let it, and yet remains the same

They say, “Say all you can now, cause tomorrow is never promised”

But really, “Do what you can now, because tomorrow comes all too soon.”

Take the neat and clean urn and place it on the table

Wipe down the picture and place just next to it

Let the tears flow and smile at the person in the frame

Forever in the memories, forever in the stories to be passed on

We meet death in all her forms

We meet death as we try to avoid him

We meet death with relief and with a wet smile

We hold onto everything and death releases all their pain