Darkened enterprises seek companions,
The unwitting witnesses
Who cannot understand,
For bedlam cannot be alone. 

An so I was death's reluctant observer
For a number of years;
Unprepared,
Far too young,
Mystified by my cruel mistress. 

The eyes of youth see well
But cannot comprehend
Until much later,
The darkness which will not abate. 

And the burden grows heavier
With the passage of time;
No willing ears to hear,
No minds that can understand.
 

But those who know you,
Know
That in a cold closed compartment
Within your soul,
Lies grief.

Death can be found
In unlikely places:
Your church, the market,
At the house of a friend,
But when it found you
I was there.
 

I was there as your only companion,
Young and confused,
But trying to understand
Where your journey would end.

I don't know when the body and spirit
Become two,
And I cannot know when you cease
Hearing,
Seeing,
Smelling,
Or feeling the touch of another.
 

You may remember that I spoke
To you.
I touched you gently
And moved you respectfully,
And I looked into your vacant eyes.
 

I tolerated no loud sound,
No humor,
No disregard.
To those who said,
"Don't worry about it, he's dead."
I turned a deaf ear.
 

And if I helped in your journey
I am glad,
For I have carried you with me
Through the years,
And age has helped me to understand
That we are bound
Together.
 

So when my time arrives
I hope you will join me
As I bridge the veil.
And we will hear
And see,
And walk hand in hand
Together,
You and I.