Life, the stubborn lady, 
struggled to hold me
as I struggled to break away—  
lured by the Temptress Death,
I settled into darkness.

But tenacious Life had other plans.
When she dragged me back 
I screamed and cursed; 
angry and frustrated,
I had failed in my last pursuit, 
lost the only control I had left.

~~~~~

         Now, she winks at me in the sun,
         smiles in the summer sky— 
         my wife’s kiss is her kiss;
         my grandchild’s laughter is her laughter— 
         she nudges me
         with love-taps of cool rain,
         whispers in the softness of the breeze,

                      “see, see… I told you so!”