The Shadow of Death

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23, ESV of the Christian Bible)

Death always rides on the back of the living,
unnoticed and unobtrusive,
but ever-present.
Sometimes we become aware of it
through a shiver down the spine
and sudden tightness in the chest
that catches our breath
and holds it.
But then we breathe in –
a deep breath of relief –
and forget;
those who don’t
become insane
or insufferable.
We forget until the moment
it’s time to turn our back to the world,
take our final bow
and let our death face it.

Huastec statue from the Tampico region (México), artist unknown;
displayed in Louvre Museum, Paris, France