Grace

I was sitting on a good friend’s porch
One night,
late in the evening,
And we were philosophizing.
The meaning of life came up
And my answer was ridiculed.
I said that the meaning of life
Was to find love
And die gracefully.
What about the time between?
They snickered.
And I said what time?
Love will last until death
And beyond.
And what about death?
They asked.
You can’t control when you die.
Accepting death with grace
I offered
Is only a matter of accepting death
Without fear.
Right, Khalil, they said
Read us another chapter.