Death

• Cristina Maglieri
• Poetry
• 2008

What is death?

The end of a lifetime.
The beginning of something new.

The loss of loved ones.
Loss of a friend.
Loss of a love.
The end of a love.

Pain and suffering.
Grief.
Bloodshed.
Murder.
Suicide.

Joy one moment tragedy the next.
The loss of a life in the shortest of moments.

Initial suffering over the loss, then the remembrance of a life filled with joy.
The remembrance of a lifetime.

Departure of a soul.

The shortness of breath before the final heartbeat.
Taking the final breath before a life is taken.
The stopping of a heartbeat and a life.

The heartache of loved ones as they try to make sense of it all.

The uncertainty of what lies beyond.