Life and Death

A thief,doctor even a man of the cloth, life and death, you can have one but never both. Many seek survival at all cost. A last breath, the battle and war are lost. The preacher says dust to dust. The buried now a mere fragment of the past. Here death has won. Labor pains pains, a debate on names. A boy, a girl? All is well. The midwife guides, The mother fights, The husband waits. The baby finally comes, Gives a shrill cry. Tiny fingers and thumbs, A tiny fist. As if to say"I am tiny but i will fight that beast" Beast?death defeated by mother and child. Here life has won. Tears of joy, tears of pain, Tears all the same. The child cries at birth, The mourners at the funeral. Life and death seem to be lovers. The dead, life's gift to death. The newly born, death's gift to life.