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The After Life

Between the life I had

and the death I owe

lies the valley of the shadow,

A place of woe.

 

First, numb, from hearing

the dread prognosis:

A blockage portending of

thrombosis.

 

Another episode like I just had

might end my life

like it did my Dad's.

 

Time seems most precious

does it not?

teetering on the abyss-

Cold,now when the day is hot.

 

Edema swells and fluids drown,

Each stolen breath is bought with pain.

Where once my river was at flood,

now bare trickles of time remain.

 

Time enough to say" Goodbye."

To reminisce or be forgot.

To say I love you one more time

even should you love me not.

 

Between the life I had

and the death I owe

lies the valley of the shadow,

A place of woe.

 

Perhaps this is the afterlife,

A way stop in this vale of tears.

A pause before the journey's end-

Can I say ,like a child, "Again!"

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Written by
john-f-mccullagh
63 / M / American
Published
Feb 1, 2013
Lines·Words
31·159
Notes

Written as a companion piece to "Sudden Death"

Permission

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