The Purpose for Death

Death causes us to love the world
Desperately, each little thing,
And to regret the times we quarreled

Stupidly, the abuse we hurled
At one so loved--recall the sting.
Death causes us to love the world,

Remember how rain water swirled,
Flooding gutters in early spring,
And to regret the times we quarreled

About lunch while maple seeds whirled--
Which cafe, with swallows on the wing.
Death causes us to love the world,

Seeing the floral wreaths like pearls,
Pink and white, tied with delicate string--
Bringing regret for every time we quarreled.

How the hair hung limp or loosely curled
Is precious to one left lingering.
Death teaches us to love the world . . .
And to regret the times we quarreled.