Death

When we are young, we know little of death.
Of it's rules, or lack thereof.
She doesn't warn you of her comings and goings.
No polite RSVP to be had.
You are very polite to death.
Check both ways to cross the street.
Wash your hands when leaving the restroom.
You spend your life informing her of your intentions
not to come.
We are all told how suddenly she comes to love.
And disregard it as common knowledge,
because the death of distant relatives or that man who rides the bus... alone
are not profound.
Until the day you don't remember what you did that morning
because it didn't matter comes along.
The call that shakes your life comes and with it change.
Change inside.... you now KNOW.
And nothing can make you not know anymore.
You have grown a hundred years in a day.
Take care how much of your life you invest in another's.
For death can come and take them both in one fell swoop,
for your insolence.
And you shall be worse than dead, you shall be dead inside.
Forced to choose between emptiness and
calling death for yourself.