To see the beauty of a life
is to stand with Death,
looking back at the whole −
the sum of joy and pain.
     From there, the face in the moonlight,
     the warmth in the glance of an eye,
     the untraceable laughter in the hall
take on more meaning,
bear new slight symbols,
conjure new beliefs.
     But do not wait for Death.
After all, these words were written
in the midst of a beautiful life.