Lately,

I find myself too much

Around death and dying

It’s just a part of life they say,

No it isn’t, that’s exactly what it’s not

It’s unknown and frankly

It’s a shock

When the thing we most expect,

Surprises us.

My friend last week

lay down in sunshine

In an English meadow

And in a non-covid sort of way

Gazed up at the sky

And Gently breathed his last

His cocker spaniel panda

Stood by his side

six hours he waited

for his master to be found.

When the police arrived

He would not move

His grieving mistress had to come and carry him away.

What is it about the departing

That makes us seize the day

The Carpe Diem of it all

The cherishing of moments

Hitherto forgotten

Now relived and honoured

They are doubly joyful.

Every story has to have a beginning a middle and an end

We stand guard over all of it

You can try to carry us away

With sadness

But in the end

It’s the remembrance of laughter

that remains

Otherwise

What’s the point?