Rain falls

cleanses the earth.

Tears fall

cleanse the heart.

Fear nothing--

death is always one breath away.

My younger self was shocked

when a wise woman told me,

"Life & Death walk side by side."

My older self simply nods & thinks, "yes, this is the way it is."

Death of a loved one,

death by tragedy,

wretch the heart.

When the storm subsides

& the water settles into quiet ripples,

we remember--

Life is our friend,

Death is our friend--

circle with this

& be comforted.