Hello Death, Dear Friend Poem by Jeremy Nel

Come walk here beside me, dear friend!
Hide not thy face in the shadows!
I used to fear thee as a fiend
Feared thee like the gallows
But now, no longer
Thou hast taken many from me, it made me stronger.

Come! Bring they countenance under the light!
Hide not like a thief lurking in the shadow
Thy presence now I welcome each night
As I welcome when I wake the morrow
Knowing it has not yet been my time
The clock for me doth not yet chime.

I used to fear thee, terrified of thy might
Now, I know thee as the one that gently as we fight
Takes away the pain as we enter the night
To re-emerge in the bright eternal light
Of our eternity when we again have sight
of those departed before us for our delight

How can we then fear thee old friend?
Thou has lifted the pain which is so draining
In these past times, as those in pain failed to mend
And thou has brought relief from earthly suffering
Taken them gently to their rest
To rest their tired head against the heav’nly breast

Oh do come dear friend!
Do not be so restraining
Let us amend
Our relationship, be more accepting
Of thy offering of rest
For to those who suffer, thy welcoming arms are best.

Dedicated to Andy Kirby 12 Aug 2009. RIP