Portrait II
Death waits
silent and hovering
to make entrance
as does Birth.
That reaper doesn't exit
as some believe...
Birth, itself, a bit of death...
No, that harbinger of
sadder melodies
lingers everywhere,
a Spirit,
until invited by condition
It alone can understand
and heed...
Two Angels -
Darkness and Light
they live
in our periphery,
unseen, and searching,
for those souls
who summon...
How do we know that
this Grim Reaper
wears the face of doom?
Why is the visage raptured
upon the peaceful bed of dying
if that Specter with invitation
is so fierce to behold?
Even those who have
crossed over shortly -
to return to Earthbound state
have only told of calm,
surrounded by the Light.
I have known the wail of babies
as they announce their birth
such fear distorts
those tiny faces -
and I wonder -
what better is it to arrive
into this world
than to be released
from our bondage here:
enter the waiting realm
Angels at each shoulder
to gently guide us Home...
(c) K.E.Cline, 15 February 1996