Nomi Shira

Title and inspiration taken from poem ‘Death Be Not Proud’ by John Donne

Death, be not proud,

I have arrived at your door,

Although I do not knock,

My smile is triumphant.

I have walked the road of life, 

Seen seasons change on my journey,

Spring, summer, winter, fall,

I have seen the cracked leaves turn color, the brown of the dirt; I have put on a coat.

Yet I’ve watched the leaves fall to create something better.

Witnesses have I to the death of the winter; the snow has buried more than my eyes could count.

Been have I on battlegrounds, with arrows shooting from every open side; I have seen blood spilled; I have cleaned it up.

Yet I’ve watched a white blanket, silence, the onset of a new beginning.

I watched the crystal snowflakes, my children’s content sighs,

I’ve seen glorious sunrise to end my hardship;

Tell me, tell me, what is a greater feeling than sorrowful happiness, sorrowful happy relief?

I’ve walked the footsteps of a sprouting lily

From inception to its bloom.

I have seen the rebirth of a child.

I have lived the full bloom; I have lived in the sunshine; I have lived in the uplifting breeze.

I have lived under blue sky; I have lived in lush grass; I have lived in the Paradise of this earth.

Roads heated to a place I would burn in,

Move was a must, or be scorched by fire.

At times, I have gotten too comfortable in  my spring; 

Heat always there, it served a reminder.

Yellow fire charred my path to gray and to brown,

I’ve been parched, my clothing faded.

The path of life merged to many seasons,

Yet – all the pain, joy, hardship, triumph – 

Compose the seasons of life.

Hello, death,

You’ve opened your door,

My road has ended here.

Although I do not knock,

My smile is triumphant.