you can regard life just as
a waiting room for death
and miserly regret
every passed breath
wrapping yourself
in cotton wool
or regard it as a gift
to be lived to the full
taking enjoyment from
each and every day
as life passes
on its way
until battered and bruised
you reach life's other end
and stand and greet death
as inevitable friend
tired weary unbowed
yet now seeking release
and that promised
final sleep of peace