Swiftly it comes to some, unwanted and feared.

One breath and then none,

Like a thief, it steals the future.

 

Slowly it comes to others who seek its respite.

Breaths linger, slow and painful.

Replacing happy memories with sorrow.

 

Either way, it leaves an empty space.

It leaves questions unanswered.

It leaves lives unfinished.

 

Theresa Dodaro is the author of The Tin Box Trilogy;  http://www.theresadodaro.com