Not for Resuscitation

Only know me, not as the one
wires me up to some machine
does its best to breathe fresh life
into these knackered lungs.
Know me, and call me love.

Only know me, not as the one
who changes soiled sheets
puts food in front of me...knows,
I haven’t the strength to eat it myself,
then takes it, untouched, away.
Know me, and call me love.

Only know me as does the bird
the rippling leaves of the trees
or the gull, the folding, unfolding
waves...the river – its stones
and the way to the sea. Know me,
and call me love.

Only know me as knows a bee
his flowers, the fiercest lion –
the lamb....and the mountain
its glaciers...the sky – each
crèche of stars. Know me,
and call me love.

As sure as the crow, outside my window,
knows the condor – rips the carrion...
that life was interrupted here.
‘For the best...for the best’, it caws.
I am that lie. Know me,
and call me love.