The Before and After

When I was a much younger version of myself, there was an order to my existence. Life and death made sense to me because science told me the truth about the universe. The one thing I thought I knew was that energy could not be created or destroyed. So the concept of Heaven and Hell were just mythical constructs created by man to rationalize death.

We simply choose to place our loved ones in the Here-After to create the illusion that we might one day see them again. It eased the sorrow we felt at their passing. I understood that and I accepted death as a simple transference of energy from one thing to another.

Death made sense to me because ‘age’ dictated that people had outlived their life span. After all, our bodies are frail things and can only sustain life for a finite amount of time.

Besides, I was young and healthy. Any thoughts of the end were far from my mind. Maybe I would live forever or at least technology would develop to a point where our lifespans would make it seem like forever.

Oh yes, I was happy with my beliefs.

But that was when I was young.

The voices of destiny have started to whisper their harsh words of mortality into my ears. It’s no secret that I am the next to youngest of fifteen children. Now whatever your thoughts on that might be; we can discuss on some future blog. The reason I mention it here is because, much too quickly, my huge family has dwindled from fifteen children to seven.

And now, my body is moving further down that corridor of existence, and I can feel it beginning to break apart. Age is forcing my beliefs to crumble and I find myself spending more and more time (probably too much time) thinking about what the future holds for me.

So, I need to believe that I’ve been wrong all these years. I’m hoping that there’s something more than just the now and that there is some place set aside for me in the after.

Death of a Friend

I screamed his name but he wouldn’t move. He just stood there staring at me with a confused look on his face. Why didn’t he follow my brother, the risk taker, the careless one, the one who had jumped across the tracks in front of the train? Why didn’t he stay behind with me, the responsible one… the one who never took chances and always did the right thing? Either way he would still be alive. But his indecision sealed his fate. All I could do was stand there and watch his lifeless body flash in and out of the shadows of the moving train as it flew past. I stood there in silence until the tracks were clear and it was safe for me to cross. As I approached his lifeless and mangled body I couldn’t help but to think…“What a stupid ass dog.”

The Cemetery

Here, they sleep

Freedom from the troubles of living

Close to those that left before them

Welcoming those that have followed

In peace

In this restful place

Surrounded by the wooded hills of youth

Serenity is everlasting

Broken only by the chattering of squirrels

The summer song of birds

They have no need for dreams

In their silent world

Trees and grasses dance in unison

Upon a soft summer breeze

I can feel their happiness

There is no sorrow

Here they slumber

Perhaps one day soon…

So shall I

Old Grey Men

In uniforms that long ago fit

The grey bearded men watch longingly

As marching ranks with emotions lit

Take the call to arms so anxiously

What is in their minds this solemn day

As their grandchildren march off to war

Do they fear for them or do they pray

That they would be called upon once more

To take up arms and defend their home

Upon some distant and lonely shore

To embrace old friends and sign the tome

To stand proud in battle like before

If cannon’s roar deals a final blow

Pushing eternal rest their way

Would be an end they’d like to know

To be buried where fallen comrades lay

With misty eyes and canes held high

A final salute from old grey men

Who know their fate is to wait to die

And not know the taste of war again