The Night You Died

I met death in the backyard grass

It grew lush and bright green

No worms

He was kind, not insisting

No click of boney hand or dragging cloak

Standing quietly aside like a parent, waiting for his children

Patient as the sky, waiting for the moon

An old shepherd guarding and leading his flock

I remember no goodbye or shed tear

No grudges held  in those gentle hands

I tired myself out

Laughing and running in that sweet green grass

And then death left

And he didn’t need a leash

To lead you away with him