To know the smell
Is to know the taste
Can you tell by looking?
Can you tell by talking?
Have you smelled death?
Have you touched death?
Has death winked?
Kissed your face?
Not a friend,
Not a sibling,
Not a parent,
But you.
Yes, you.
Have you felt it?
Your life sucked out,
I have.
From the inside,
The warm,
Replaced by cold,
Full turning to empty.
No, no, I cried,
A stubborn part of fought,
You can't have me,
I have much left to see.
The Reaper was shocked,
His aim misjudged,
His axe missed,
Life flooded back in.
As I said,
And,
You did not,
Understand.
Only if you have,
Smelled the stench of death,
Can you properly taste life,
Take it from me.
I fought to keep the last of me alive,
I dodged the Reaper's swing,
Yes, I once thought life was a bore,
A life long endurance test.
How wrong I was,
Life is a piece of bubble gum,
Orange today,
Mint tomorrow.
Undo the wrapping,
Chew on life,
Blow bubbles,
As big as you can.
Only you set the limits,
Only you take them away,
Make your own fun,
Never wait for others.
So remember,
A long life is a gift,
Denied to many,
Enjoy it.