When Death reaches out a hand

Soft hands approach.

Tenderness holds the heart
A quietness of breath
A softness of body.

Soft hands approach.

Reaching out and holding hands
Once strangers,
Now familiar

Soft hands approach.

Sometimes there are no words
When Death comes and takes one’s hand.
Sometimes though there are so many words,

Unsaid.
Unvoiced.

When Death comes with a soft hand
There are so many things undone,
So many memories still to make
So many dreams still to create.

When Death comes with a soft hand
It makes us ponder what is real -
What is true?
What have I left undone?
What dreams have I left aside?

When Death reaches out a hand
priorities change
communications change.

Life.

Changes.

Why do we stop playing the guitar?
Why do we work so hard?
Why do we stare into screens unreal?
Why do we hide our love?

When Death reaches out a hand,
So softly to those it holds,
Lives will never be the same again
And words once said are gone.

Why do we work when our health is suffering?
Why do we live a lie?
Why do we choose to conform,
comply?
Why do we choose at all?

When Death reaches out a hand,
So softly to those it guides,
We, those left behind
are left
are left…

with memories
with moments
deep and raw and real

so precious

and so priceless…

Goodbye.

Until we meet again,
In some land or dream or memory.

You strummed a note upon our hearts
Shared words upon our soul.

Goodbye.

Until we meet again.

When Death reaches out a hand.