Night's Approach

The lover of life has nothing in death to fear.

Fear not Death's embrace:

a blind man given sight

in a green world of blight

who brings us respite

at the dying of the sun

and approach of the night

sky-grazing towers;

unassailable walls;

instant communication;

magnificent dining halls - 

claim credit for these

and rejoice from night 'til day

but still the ferryman's toll

we all must pay

de profundis mors advocat.

attempt to outrun him:

   at the grim reaper's feet

we all fall flat

one truth exists for all to see:

to laugh, to lounge, to fall and regain

to love, to laugh, to fall and rise

to be

is the immortal quality

of the inexcusably happy;

and what greater purpose

what nobler cause

is there to live and die for

other than upsetting the snobbish bores?

a lover of Life

having lived fully, singing with morning's lark

fears not the approaching dark;

but lights with her smile

a lamp to guide her

easing her steps

on the last

mile.