Are you ready? said he softly 
I was sitting and watching tv
For what? I asked full well knowing
The implications of that simple question 

For your journey onwards from here 
He said quietly in my ear 
I stared ahead, I couldn’t look 
Into eyes that held the whole cosmos 

I still have things to do I said 
Even as my heart filled with dread 
I still have dreams and wishes said I 
Even as I felt my mouth go dry

He waited watching me silently 
His shadow was now a part of me 
I took a breath and looked at him 
His eyes looked back serene, glowing

I cried, I am afraid to leave 
Even if I have always believed 
That one day I must walk away 
Wrapped in death’s final embrace 

But that faith has always surrounded me 
On the outside, while inside of me 
Has grown a choking, gnawing terror 
Of the day that you would appear 

He took my hand and held it fast
My hand in his we touched my heart 
The blue-gray fear that sat in there 
Evaporated into the air 

I felt my soul for the first time 
Floating, thrumming, humming inside 
I smiled even as the tears flowed 
Silver, sparkling, love-hallowed 

I laughed, I cried, I laughed again 
Life was beautiful even at the end 
I loosened the strings bound to the past 
And closed my eyes as I breathed my last.