Psychopomp

Without discrimination, taking young and old,

a patient shadow hiding, waiting-- "there."

Expectant raven, he who receives leaves of gold,

directing souls away from trite despair

to He who reigns above, almighty, fair, and just.

From realm to realm, our Guiding Renaissant;

like water turns to vapor, then to snowfell dust,

so too shall those who follow you across

remain themselves: of substance same, transformed anew

and not unlike themselves before their birth

without the worldly shame and heartbreak life accrues;

from whence we came we shall again return.

The room was quiet, yet she said the noise was loud;

around her bed, around her bed, he prowled.