A Misunderstanding Between Friends (poetry and video)

Some words from scripture:

Ecclesiastes 7King James Version (KJV)

7 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Yesterday the coroner came to my neighbors house and took her away.  It got me to thinking.  I've lived here on this street since 2009 and in that time every house except mine has had someone die.  

So I wrote the poem this morning as I thought of the empty house next door and wondered what it all means. 

A condition which is identified by the distinctive and fearsome reality of mortality is best understood in spiritual terms.  At least that is the opinion I hold this morning and the one I have held much of my life.  

A Misunderstanding Between Friends

Mortality is the wolf dogging our steps from birth

becoming hungrier as the load becomes heavy

and the bones begin to resist,

and the legs are no longer able to dance

and from the heart comes groaning

instead of song.

Mortality is life's instructor,

it's daily inspiration

and in the end the wolf is a good old dog

that always was a friend.    (I changed the last line a little)

Death is a perennial topic of poets, philosophers and artists.  Allen Ginsberg sings "Father Death Blues".