My Old Friend

As a child, I was taught to fear you

As a teenager, I rebelled against you

As an adult, I thought that I understood you

As middle age came upon me, I had come to witness you many times

Yet I realized that I didn't know you at all

And as time withered my body and old age found me

I learned to welcome you

For I no longer feared

I saw no benefit in rebellion

And I knew that no matter how many times that I witnessed you

I would never understand you

But through all of that, I came to trust you

For you were the one constant in this life

As all things begin, all things must end

So as I lay in the company of my loved ones

I welcome you not as a feared enemy

But as an old friend, who has finally come to take me home

With a last breath, I take your hand

And step into your cold embrace.