Death came near.

Death backed away.

…

She never leaves without a fare-well gift:

Scars, fears, memories,

A limp, a pain, a tremor.

…

She never leaves entirely,

Like a dimness that never blackens:

Whispers, shadows, shades.

…

She never leaves forever:

Remember, remember, remember,

She chants in my ear,

softly when the room is quiet.