Nurtured by mother’s body,
Close to her heart she cradles us.
We are complete – but not whole,
Until she lets us go.
At birth, our journey begins,
Love, laughter, joy and sorrow,
Choosing our paths,
We challenge the future.
Never knowing where or when.
With silent steps it will stalk us,
Relentless in its pursuit,
Swathed in blackness like a moonless night,
In shadows or in light,
It will inevitably stake its claim.
When the body grows weary,
And the mind is still,
Will there be glimpses of the other side?
Brief moments of elation,
When inaudible words don’t quite form.
Mind wills life – body denies it.
Breathing short and ragged,
Sighs – like sudden breezes,
Loved ones will grieve for us,
As we surrender life,
Death will wrap its soft black robe around us,
Taking us away from everything we know,
Fear, pain, misery – no more,
In peace at last, we will rest,
And the end will be the beginning.

Nancy Crossman

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beginning-to-end-3/