insufferable optimist

Stealer of hours and months-
of years, youth, wisdom, beauty
kisses and breath.

Quietly coming in the night
or forcefully,
unmercifully
in the blazing heat of day.

Taker of mothers and fathers
sons, brothers, daughters,
lovers, friends.

Stopper of wicked
and pure hearts,
nightmares, dreams,
happiness and pain.

Receiving the rich and poor-
the mighty and weak, helpless little babes,
last confessions and eternal secrets.

What do you give?
Save sorrow and empty rooms?
Yet if birth is but a sleep and forgetting
You give the great awakening.