It approaches on nearly silent feet
Coming constantly closer
without regard for health or wealth
color or creed, age or wage.
Step by step it closes the gap
Between you and what's to be –
Total darkness without reprieve,
Heavens choirs and dancing angels or
Floating in an invisible cloud
As cellular material.
It doesn't matter because its still coming
Closer and closer for you and your loved ones.
No one—
No one
Escapes.
Some are there already, some are fast asleep
Some run away like silly nillies, some stand steadfast listening.
Some party, some knit, some ride wild horses or hot cars
none of it matters to the one who comes…
none of it!
Its still coming.
You can cry for what is lost or let the rain do it for you
It won't bring it back, it can't bring it back.
Poems on discs long abandoned or disposed of…gone
Dreams of riding wild horses or dancing on stage…gone
Hugs and kisses for children, paying attention to them…gone
Hot, wild passionate lovemaking with athletic movements…gone.
Now is what I have and now is what I use for the steps are approaching and I can hear them.
Do they scare me? Yes!, Into being committed to what I leave behind into LIVING here and now, in this place at this time.
Love is who I worship now. There is no other god. It is not love of lust and sex but love that remains when the sparkle is gone,
love that remembers what was and could have been, love that hopes itself into existence, love is the warm smile, the open arms,
the forgiving and forgetting of petty differences and unkind happenings. Love focuses on beauty, turns its back on hatred, attends to discord and never gives up.
Love remains when you're unable to care for yourself. Your deep apologies for being a burden go unheard. The hands that help you, the arms that carry you--love is their name.
Love is what reminds you who you are when you've forgotten. It is who won't let you sacrifice yourself for your fears. It is who listens when you talk nonsense and cries for you when you wail.
It is the one who watches as you choose unwisely and yet remains at your side. Love stands horrified at your rude behavior yet rejoices when your true self returns. It sees your true self behind the rough façade that you have built to hide behind.
Love is what calls you and keeps calling until you answer even if you don't know what to say or do. Love won't leave you when you choose to be alone even though it grieves your distance and your separation.
Yes, love is what I worship now…in all its intricate glory.