Poem — When you're so close

When you are so close to death

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your heart rate declines dramatically
the monitors set off alarms
and the nurses come rushing in
and the doctor is right behind them
they want to know what's happening

but you know what it is...

your eyes are still open
so you see them all
you see the nurses
they are reading numbers on the ECG
and yelling things to the doctor
and he just looks at you, momentarily
and reaches for the defibrillator

but before he administers the electric shock to you
you lose consciousness
it starts with your sight
as everything fades into incredible darkness

then it's your hearing;
you are now in unfamiliar territory
thousands of moments come to your mind instantly
your life flashes before you, as they say

your high school days
your graduation
your first love
and your first separation
the birth of your first son
and all the awards you have won

all your personal victories;
and your last celebration
your visits to the hospital;
and the time you went on heart medication

the look on your wife's face when she thought you were dying
shock, devastation and sorrow; when she and the children started crying

when you tried to calm them down
telling them that you're still around
that they shouldn't feel sorry for you
but value the time you had instead
knowing that at anytime, your heart could fail you,
and Lynn would lose a husband, and the kids a dad

you remember when you made the most important vows of your life
apart from those made with your wife
to avoid stress, and be at peace with the world

you remember when
those who knew you noticed your new attitude
you had changed;
no longer cared about much
you just wanted to enjoy life and have fun

you remember when you ventured into the world of philanthropy
and when you discovered the benefits of voluntary solitude

this is it, you think to yourself
you feel life slipping away
you're so close to death now;
the end of your stay
here on earth

the other side of the coin of life you were yet to see
birth on one side; on the other death

the electric shock finally hits you
and you regain consciousness
you see your family looking at you
through the window
in full innocence

another chance to live
you are thankful
and
you believe

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Thanks for reading

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(my own image)