This is the companion piece to “Here is death.” I will read it tonight at the Relay for Life of Greater Fall River Kick-off Dinner. The event is at 6 p.m. at the Notre Dame Parish Hall on Eastern Avenue in Fall River. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and children under six are admitted free. The buffet features food from many area restaurants. There will be drawings, dancing, and a slide show–a good time to be had by all.

Here is Life

Here is life—

Not mere breathing

Eating, sleeping—

Not a job—

But a work—

A child’s vision

That sees a blade

In leaves of grass

That chases snowflakes—

Weeping as they melt—

That sees the color

Of stars against

The dark blue sky

Of night.

 

Here is life—

A thing that hungers

That thirsts

That risks all

Every day

For one more breath—

That savours every smell,

Delights in every taste,

Treasures every touch,

Devours every sound,

Consumes every sight–

That teaches stars

What it is to burn.

 

Here is life—

The ebb and flow

Of joy and laughter,

Of sorrow and tears,

Of youth and age at once–

The first steps–

The first bike–

The first love–

The learning

And the learning

And the learning—

That wakes in your arms

Like starlight

Turning into sunlight.

 

Here is life—

Live.

copyright 2012 by Harry Proudfoot