An Ode to Death

Here's to death,
who watches over infant sleep
who makes the deer nimbler,
the fox fiercer,
and great oaks more resourceful

Who lends greatness to gnarled old hands,
wanton sugar to maidens' smiles,
war-like grace to men in distant lands,
and eloquence and edge to scholars' wiles

Here's to death
who though cold and transient himself,
through art
brings forth the greenest
and most lasting branches of life

Here's to death,
who gives flight to the wounded bird,
wisdom to the hospital bed,
fire to the poet's pen,
and peace to dying mice and men

Yes, here's to death...
though like most
I'd evade him a while longer