Life and Death

Life and Death met today under a blue sky. The sun beat down and the wind blew, nearly capsizing Life like a lifeboat in a sea of rolling green grass. She was pushed about by the wind as she ran through the grass, but she ran undeterred. Rather than a hindrance, the wind became a playmate, lightheartedly pushing Life along as she frolicked, dancing her strange dance with Death. Her partner, however, stood unmoved by both the wind and the dance. As she weaved in and out, he unflinchingly remained, ever present, yet forgotten in the midst of Life’s joy. The wind joined the dance, pulling at her skirt, mussing her hair. Life pretends to be angry, but her radiant smile breaks through and she chases after the wind.

            She knows not that it is hopeless. Rather, she pursues the wind as a child pursues her father, becoming breathless and exhausted, eyes alive and cheeks red. The joy is in the chase and it will not end in frustration, but in a fit of giggles as he finally allows himself to be caught. Together they will collapse into the green grass, his arms around her. As you watch, you cannot help but think that perhaps the wind will allow itself to be caught, just as the father does. Even such a thing does not seem impossible as Life sprints for all she is worth after the wind.

            She pauses for a moment, however, to consider Death. He has caught her attention with his dark beauty, his regal solemnity. Within him live histories untold. In his depths he holds lives lived full of days, of memories, of love. He has welcomed those who chased him and those who fought him, those who studied, who knew of his embrace and those who had barely understood a mother’s warm arms. He was a riddle, an enigma, his depths unplumbed by Life’s understanding. The secrets remain with him, buried under darkness. Those left behind stand before him, wondering, aching, pleading for what they do not understand. Death stares back, cold and hard as granite.

            With such a face he now regards Life. She tilts her head and impatiently pushes the hair from her face. She has tired of her game with the wind, and now wants only to meet death’s gaze with clear blue eyes. They stand for a moment like that, the wind forgotten as it whistles and screams around them, whipping at them both with all its might. But for the moment, Life is still as Death, regarding him with wonder and confusion. Why do they all fear you? And with a grin as bright as the sun beating down, she dances away, hiding behind death only to burst out with a triumphant laugh. She dances over him, forgetting to fear him. Having faced him, she has returned to dancing with the wind. Death has lost his power. Still he is there, unmoving, holding his secrets in. But life dances on.

            O death, where is your victory, O death, where is your sting?