Do you believe in death?
Lots of us don't–
or at least live as if we don't.

People glibly say,
"Live each day as if it's your last,"
but that's nearly impossible to do:
    Would you make the bed?
    Would you empty the dishwasher?
    Would you close the drapes so the furniture doesn't fade?
    Would you wrap the Christmas gifts?
    Would you fill your gas tank?

No, we have to live
with the expectation tomorrow will come…
and the next day…
and the next…

But you must believe in death.
Believe in death
and the bed you make will be a thing of beauty
the empty dishwasher a waiting sanctuary,
the drawing of drapes a sacred art,
the wrapping of gifts a gift unto itself,
the filling of the tank a libation.

Believe in death,
because death believes in you.

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.