You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.
—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
And though the leaves blush golden and red
and though the sun cups my face like a hand
and though the chill air makes me catch my breath
the wind whispers, friend, remember your death.
And I feel so deeply, so wildly alive
as I climb the hill, slight burn in my thighs
but I cannot pretend I am deaf
as the wind whispers soft, remember your death.
The Roman generals had their slaves
whisper to them in their moments of greatness,
remember your death—even as the crowds cheered—
to help them remember be humble, be here.
And the wind whispers yes, whispers yes to me.
And reminds me to take each step gratefully.
Remember your death, it says. Live now.
And with every step, though I don’t know to whom,
I say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
This feels like it was written just for me, for the Year to Live group I co-lead. Remember your death; live now – that is the message we are living with. I will read this to the group in November. With much gratitude to you Rosemerry or putting such beautiful words to this message. Janice
Thank you, Jan … what a great sounding group. Thank you for the work you are doing in the world. And yes, amazing how it makes every moment so much more wholly itself when we befriend our death. Hugs to you from the rain.