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Death's Door
I asked directions from suicide survivors
I met along the road
I asked directions from veteran soldiers
Bearing such heavy loads
They told me to keep walking
Along the path I trod
They told me not to let go
Of the ever-present rod
When I got to that great mansion
I knocked upon the door
When I got to that great castle
I thought of those who’d gone before
Beverly Dwyer, kind and calm
Always with a smile
Charlie Safford, always willing
To sit down and chat for a while
When Death opened the door to me
She said, “’Tis not your time”
When Death opened her home to me
She asked, “Why’ve you come by?”
I came in and sat on down
Tried not to disturb
I came in and picked a chair
And started with my words
I told her of the friends I’d lost
Both old, but both so young
I told her of companions missed
My heroes, my unsung
I told her of my grief and pain
And all the sadness felt
I told her of my many sorrows
And my many doubts
She listened to my every word
And did not cut in
Until I asked her to make it better
Then did she begin
“I cannot give you back your friends
Or take you to them now
I cannot ease your trouble soul
Or wipe sweat from your brow
I cannot change what has been done
I cannot fix what broke
The only thing that I can do
Is give a spark of hope
I will come for you one day
And take you to this house
I’ll come when you are old and grey
And all your fires douse
But in betwixt this time and then
You have to keep living
Not just surviving one day, the next
But loving, laughing, giving
Throw yourself into your heart
And give to all you see
And maybe then your joy will grow
Your pains shrink down and flee
You cannot change what happened then
Or bring back those that died
But you can stand yourself up tall
You can learn to fly”
I thanked her for the time we spent
Talking ‘bout the world
I thanked her for the love she gave
And for the thoughts conferred
She gave me one last hug
As I headed for the door
And as I went back to the world
She gave me one hug more
I told her she had saved my life
When she let me in her den
I’ll welcome her with open arms
When I see her again
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Favorite Quote:
"To the world you may not be someone, but to someone you may be the world" and "Never frown because you never know who's fallen in love with your smile" <3