Every single night, death comes and sits by my side
Every  time I  shut my  eyes,  by his rules do I abide
He taught me the intricate balance of questioning and acceptance
He also showed me the innate frailty of structure and permanence
I understood the difference between wisdom and knowledge
Also why  one  must, without dismissing, eat  one's porridge
That a bat can carry numerous diseases without  getting  ill
That seasons can bring change in the colours of a bird's bill
That questioning oneself requires immense strength  of will

He taught me when to swallow my pride
Whom to  trust, and  in  whom to confide
That one must take great caution while vowing vengeance
What's done is done, and can never be undone by penance
Things I never would've learned  had  I  stayed  on  in  college
He showed me that it's but a myth, the idea we call "flawless"
That  bending  the  limits  of  one's  mind  can too be  a  thrill
That  it's  tougher to  bring  life  than  it  is  to  make  the  ****
How ever hard you may try, life's essence you  cannot  distill