Shocking As Birth Poem by Barry Middleton

death is as shocking as birth
death is like fire and roses
death is as amazing as the universe
death is the final astonishment

that stars are born and die
that planets collide into destruction
regardless of their promise
is the final proof of indifference


an asteroid fell in the rainforest
and the crater was filled by the sea
insentient reptiles did not weep
meaningless death fell from the sky

thus is the fate of wildflowers
and the grace of all creation
so I must curse human audacity
this vanity that claims a privilege

I bow to the inevitable
for death is not uncommon
still every man must tremble
as he stands before the dark abyss