you become aware of your own mortality
staring out a window at 8 in the evening
like the dog does
when he's tired

seeing the trees bathed in sunset hues
and the man mowing across the street
the road, weather-beaten
with some rickety car rattling along it
and the realization that this will one day be
   completely
       gone.

you become aware of your life
and the ending of it
washing the dishes
and thinking
of friends
of television shows
of what you're going to eat for dinner

heart speeds up, sponge slows down
and the knowledge that
all of this pass and fades creeps
into your brain.
the knowledge itself is,
of course,
passing and fading;
such is life.

you become aware of dying
when you smile
when you laugh
surrounded by friends
family
making memories that will be lost to
the dirt surrounding your bones
sooner or later.