It would be nice to face death
while being loved, not broken
:::::
while being held, not alone,
not sinking in a cold silence
:::::
while drowning in laughter
and not in tears,
:::::
while hair, though mostly gray,
still glows with love’s rays.
:::::
while dismissing the grieving
of those we shall be leaving
:::::
nothing could be braver,
it would be easier,
:::::
to accept, to welcome death
while in deep slumber's breath.
:::::
sally b

© Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan
September 11, 2022

I've had this dream before
somewhere I've been
her face familiar
from long ago
our conversation guided by acquaintance
it moved along in black and white
we walked among old ruins
and buildings long since unoccupied
through rooms of faded paint and old portraits
their frames thick with dust
outside we strolled through what appeared to be
a family graveyard
she stopped
turned and said 'do not be afraid'
stepped away from a headstone which carried my name
'after this life we shall be together'
she kissed my cheek and I was awoken
by the thunder of an oncoming storm