death's an old joke

death's an old joke
but it comes fresh to everyone
subtracting from the sum
one less garden for the flower
one less minute on the hour
one less falcon that flies home,
flies away from home at his leisure
loses lift and can't find pleasure
breathless with rapture:
if i could feel sure of what you say
i would love you forever today
i would love you irrevocably
i would pull you closer to me
confiding intimacy
brighter and more daring
more tranquil, more caring
your large beautiful hands enfolding
light-hearted yet firmly holding
side-by-side in the hollow of our tree
i would love you irrevocably
i would pull you closer to me

death's an old joke
but it comes fresh to everyone