One day death smiled

One day death smiled on me

Showing me the possibility

Of freedom from this pain

If only for a while

And yet my soul also knew

Somewhere deep inside

There were yet miles and miles to travel

Along this road of stones

And so much confusion and pain

Still to unravel

And so death receded

Into the shadows

While the memory of his face lingered in my mind

Reminding me how sweet it might be

To leave this suffering behind

But when brighter days obscured the gloom

Then death seemed to fade so far away

As I found a certain peace in living

And stopped giving

A thought to death

Having cause to forget

His arresting countenance

But if at times

I get that far away look in my eye

Maybe I am just dreaming

Of how it might be

When all this sorrow lays its claim

To bid me sleep and never wake

While reminding me

Simultaneously of the sadness

That never the less

Would attend the parting