Death and life walk side by side,
Confusing thoughts in the heart resides.
One wears the promise of life on earth
And the other counts the steps to Death.
Life springs up with mystery in its wings
While death sets in to douse and sting.
Morning sprouts the seeds of life
And in the dark, death plays like an unyielding knife.
They share the day, they share the night
And life comes forth with bursts of light.
Death holds on and assumes its place
Unwilling to relinquish its victim in time and space.
So, life goes on , blooms and grows
While death grips firmly with its vice like claw.
The burning flame of life cannot pretend
As death takes over and leads to the final end.
Throughout the ages they remain the same
Known universally by their names
Yet through it all, even if they are worlds apart,
They are two hands of the same heart .
MARYANN BOSAH 