James Moore Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

Living to Die, Dying to Live

("Before the Door", 2023, original encaustic)

I know I’m going to die
Sooner of later Death comes for us all
Like an old best friend
Who was always patiently waiting.
But I also know from personal experience
That he comes only at the perfect time
Despite what we may think.

Death has already come for many 
Family and friends and dear pets
I have known and loved
So I do know what it looks like
At least from my perspective
As an outside observer and sometime flirt
But I don’t know what it’s actually like.

And from what I’ve seen
I don’t think I ever will know,
Because you know, 
When you’re dead, you’re dead, 
And even if there is an immortal soul
It doesn’t die, so it doesn’t know death either!
What we do know, either way, is Life.

We know it because we are it.
We see it all around us, we feel it in us.
We see it come and go, Death again,
But we see it, and feel it, continue,
Morphing continuously in ever changing
Creative adaptation.
That’s the big picture we’re just a part of.

One day I know I, and all I love, will be gone.
There is trepidation as that day approaches
Of course, but there is solace too
Knowing it is both inevitable and irrelevant
Since I won’t actually be here for that day
At least for its end.
What I do have is this day, simply this.

(1/28/26)

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