A Lesson in Dying

His aged hand shook

As he drew me near.

“My time is ending,

My breaths are short,

And there is something you must hear.”

“This is how you heal yourself

In a world that’s torn apart.

Inhale love,

Exhale hate,

This will fix your heart.”

“Accept the love of others,

Release the hate inside.

Inhale peace,

Exhale anger,

Simply set the pain aside.”

His fingers squeezed my arm

As he blinked his bloodshot eyes.

A flash of fear

Crossed his face;

Then a deep contented sigh.

“This is how you heal the world

When your heart has found its place.

Inhale hate

Exhale love

Show the world some grace.”

“Take their hate and give them love,

Though it may not be well received.

Inhale sorrow

Exhale joy

And their anger will be relieved.”

He coughed and closed his eyes,

A tear trailed down his cheek.

He gasped and wheezed,

Took one more breath

And once more began to speak.

“This, my son, is how you die,

By passing on what you believe.

It’s not complex,

No rules apply,

Simply teach them how to breathe.”

With last breath rattling his hand fell away,

His soul wresting its’ mortal prison.

I’ll never forget

Those final words,

Or the lesson that I was given.