Birth, Death, Rebirth Poem by William E. Marks

TV news reports my
friend’s brother death
I telephone his home, a stranger’s voice -
then my friend says “hello”
We reminisce his brother’s adventure -
sharing sadness; laughter

A TV special about our universe depicts the birth,
death, rebirth of stars, planets, galaxies

Christmas cards - with photos
of families; past year stories
new babies being; friends leaving

Outside the window - frozen shadows,
serpentine outline of nude shad tree
A tree with white flowers - each spring until last

Nearby, two heated birdbaths
quench thirst, give life
As I write, a squirrel’s paws patter
across roof above

I pause …………………. ponder
cyclical process of passage
existence of emotions
depth of each breath

then finish giving birth
to this poem