Walking in Tandem

I walk the walk with death

Who sees me but not, me, him

Who counts my every breath

And bides my meted int'rim

.

I talk the talk with life

Who listens but argues back

And isn't as so forgiving

As death's amnesiac

.

I park my mark on history

Written in permanent ink

And those who follow the mystery

Will know the day I blinked

.

I died my death in an instant

And never saw it coming

And I moved the living, distant

Last breaths, thought I, outrunning

.

Life's a series of lessons

The last one is taught anginal

We learn them in progression

Till time to cram for finals