You’d think death would be late for lessons, But it seems to be the perfect time, For the living, And the left behind. It runs in my head on a constant loop, All the things I should have said and done. I cannot forgive myself, And I cannot move on. Maybe one day when I die, I’ll finally be back by your side, Just know each time I think of you, I can’t help but to cry. I knew better, I was selfish, I pray hard for forgiveness, But I don’t hold my breath. Wish it’d ended differently, Would trade my life for yours with no second thought, I Would fight your war for you, I promise you we would be winning. But I can’t go back, I can’t change a damned thing, Hindsight may be 20/20, But at the time I couldn’t see. I thought you’d be here forever, But death has to teach its lessons, And I fell for that because it brought me peace. But in the end you still slipped away from me.

Right now you are living And that living is enough. Yes, now you are living And that living can be tough On even the best of us. You might cry every day And breathe through your nights But today is the day That brings those gentle lights To meet your open eye. This evening you are happy And the world goes on spinning But you are here, happy And clouds are thinning As the phone is ringing. They died an hour ago In bed with breakfast And all those years ago When life was steadfast You thought of this day And how long it might last. Right now you are living And living is enough.

“Oh my, it’s time, my dear.” “Please, Reaper, I don’t want to go! Not yet, oh please, please, sir!” “It’s time to go.” Death knows no specific date, Nor time, nor hour— Life is fragile, It wavers and falters at every turn. Live your life until the Reaper calls, Explore the world, Touch the grass and the trees, Play with the animals, Taste, smell, hear, see as much as you can. Make loved ones along the way. Embrace the Grim Reaper, For when he comes, It’s time to go.

There’s a joke that ends with — huh? It’s the bomb saying here is your father. Now here is your father inside your lungs. Look how lighter the earth is — afterward. To even write father is to carve a portion of the day out of a bomb-bright page. There’s enough light to drown in but never enough to enter the bones & stay. Don’t stay here, he said, my boy broken by the names of flowers. Don’t cry anymore. So I ran. I ran into the night. The night: my shadow growing toward my father

Do not be bitter when I come for you, For I must come like a cold December wind, Dreaded, as is a winter’s day, Nevertheless, I must descend. Think not of me as malice, a thief in the night, But as the hand that gathers fallen leaves, Homecoming, a soldiers final fight. A promise kept, a bittersweet release. Though shadows lengthen with each step I take, And fear May whisper tales of endless night, remember, too, the solace of the dark, The hush that blankets weary, flickering light. Fear not, for there is no sting in my embrace, Only The silence of dreams untold. Let go of grasping fingers, earthly hunger, And rest within the comfort of the cold.

I don’t have that much to say, so do not see me in this way. I only have a list for you, I hope you’ll find it useful, too. Read carefully, and please do heed these words that I give, indeed. For all you need to know to rest is some words of advice from your friend, Death. 1. Think of me often. No, I’m not kidding, think of your coffin. If you do, you’ll daily remember that January is a blink from December. What I mean to say is, if you think of Death every day, You’ll remember the most important rule of life, living. 2. Don’t wish for me. Now I know what you may be thinking. Why do you think I’m writing? There’s nothing for me to be hiding. Life and death both exist for a reason, to deny it would be treason, So let us decide in which place you reside, it’s our job. That’s really all I have to say, I mean it’s not like I think of these things every day. I just felt I needed to save a few lives by telling the truth and hoping it survives. I hope that you’ll listen to these things I’ve said, after all, I’m the reason you’ll ever be dead. So if you are contemplating your last breath, I hope you’ll take these Life Lessons From Death.

1. Don’t confide in her She’ll just explode 2. Don’t hug her She’ll feel embarrassed 3. Don’t express love It’ll make her sad 4. Don’t cry It’ll make her powerful 5. Don’t feel It’ll make her uncomfortable 6. Don’t love Even though you’re together It’s too much feeling 7. Don’t express disliking It’ll make her mad Life lessons from someone who died for you I loved you I lived for you And I died for you

I've seen more lives than you could fathom The immortal life of a stygian phantom I've seen the strongest of man crumble, And only I could make them humble. I've seen the broken learn to survive, Just to die before they thrive Good or bad when your time has come, Ill be there when you succumb. I am not in the pursuit of life, Nor to rid the world of strife. My only job to steal your breath, create balance through your death. I cannot tell you what to do But with time I've learned some things are true Do not live life full of regret, This is the only chance you'll get. And when you see the ones you love, Remind them why they are beloved. Time flashes by, moments gone by fast, Every conversation could be your last. Enjoy each moment, make it count, Don't focus on the things you worry about. And when it is all said and done, Perhaps you'll leave the world a better one.

Desiccated husks In soaking soil Anemic leaves heave pitifully Tucked in dim corners Lifting yellowing branches to the light I check for sticky puffs of pests Dipping my index from pot to pot I move from desert to tropics I learn from the losing The roots rotted and The pots that slip from my hands Flaccid stems, exhausted leaves sleep on willing soil Over sunburnt leaves I learn about surviving Inside the greenhouse I learn surviving is not thriving In a forest of uncertainty In a jungle heaviness A slender leaf Bright green Uncurls

You’re next! Death reminds us that there’s a countdown until our own demise. It haunts us ! Makes us question stupid things like existence, purpose. Making us nervous.