The Perspective of Death

Death, a “forever” end? I hear the word in elementary school frequently I play outside, the word gets simply stated What more is it than the end of life? Only old people die, you die in your sleep, right? Death? I hear it, ignore it Maybe one day I will really know what it is My owner feeds me The air feels different today Extra visitors with weary smiles We go on a car ride with the windows down I feel tired, too tired to bark at the passing cars Water comes out of my owners eyes I cannot help but wonder why I got out of the car, why did they say it was for the last time? Death? I hear it, I ignore it Until I no longer can I get one final shot, and that is it I get watered Nurtured by the sun I have seen flowers come and go I never imagined I’d be gone I’ve seen them wilt away in the bed of dirt right next to me Petals trickle down, solemnly, slowly, dreadfully Something so beautiful ends in; death? They lose their color, shrivel, and die Death? I hear it, I ignore it Until I lay on the dirt, withered and lifeless Final visitors My kids and grandchildren surrounding me I have only been on hospice for two weeks Last goodbyes I know that this is it Inevitable is what I have become I think of the life I lived and who I once was I think of the days that I thought death was just a word I think of the animals I have lost through my life I remember my old dog, who experienced death before me I wonder if he was scared I remember the flowers I have seen grow and die What did they think as they wilted Now I know everyone views death differently, but yet every living thing experiences it Death? I hear it, I cannot ignore it anymore