The crowd echoed: Death took them too soon!
Can death take those who do not belong to us?
The crowd echoed: Life ending was a gracious gift for their suffering!
What discernment have we to determine true blessings?
The crowd echoed: They were still so young!
Is youth truly measured in length of days?
The crowd echoed: At least they lived a good life!
Do you know the quality of life they lived inside?
The crowd echoed: At least they lived out their dreams!
Will their fulfilled fantasies be judged worthy of eternity?
The crowd echoed: Their life had only just begun to bloom!
Have you not been informed that this life is not the goal?
The crowd echoed: They were so close to enjoying retirement!
How can earthly rest compare with paradisiacal repose?
These answers to echoes returned from the skull,
Between the flower and hourglass bottom-side full;
To remind each of us, both old and small:
Death is not the end, yet death comes for us all.
– R.P.D. SANDERS