A kind social worker named Whitney Stiger at the Pittsburgh VA Community Living Center Inpatient Hospice Unit told us about a Vietnam Era veteran, a former artillery officer named Larry “Kim” Hart, who was in hospice and had a last request. Kim wished to see published the poem below, titled Death: The Final Frontier, which his recent experience in hospice had inspired. After his military service, Kim volunteered in community theater as an actor, writer, and director. We thank Kim and Whitney for sharing this moving testament. May we all experience the wisdom it expresses.

DEATH

is following me

DEATH
is mad at me

DEATH
walking behind me trying to push me through his door
but i won’t go
i keep winning

DEATH
stands behind me watching me write my obit

DEATH
is laughing
i never did anything

DEATH
let’s go
you cheated using therapy

DEATH
pushes me through his door

DEATH
is walking beside me holding my hand
let’s sit and talk
we can be friends gives me my last meal he eats dead souls

DEATH
is running in front of me leading the way

DEATH
is dancing

EOL