“This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief.”
– Rumi
Death came knocking at my door.
Not prepared, I was pleading for more
Life.
She said: “Do not fear me, for I am a part of Him.”
I answered: “Is this not a trick to take me on a whim?”
She felt furious and took my ego in disguise,
I laughed and cried,
I kid you not.
She took her scythe and chopped off my foot.
I screamed at her in agony,
Why was she doing this to me?
She said you must suffer to be reborn
Unless you try darkness
You may never see light.
I nodded my head and this made me sway.
Then I remembered the trick
A teacher taught me:
I prayed to God with all my might
And all at once
The angels came to my aid,
they took away my fears
And helped me to surrender
In tears.
I wailed and sang hail to Grace,
I wondered why I had forgotten
Their mighty embrace.
Death departed with her scythe,
My foot restored,
I said: “You were the devil in disguise.”
Don’t taunt me with your impertinent
Gaze
For I know who you are now
and I surrender only to God
And follow my own ways.
Relieved I sat surrounded by the angels’ wings
Their embrace so soft
Yet put me up to their strings
That lead to heaven.
Vanessa
A Beautiful World 