Passing Through Me

When Death came
He was quiet and unassuming
A silent slip from one moment
into the subsequent.
No vigil, no disaster, no fanfare
But a small flicker.

It was a mysterious and unknown intrusion
When Death passed through me
Not next to me
Not beside me
Not in front of me
But through all of my defenses
Stealing a tiny life.
Once, twice
Leaving only a brief fragment
Where a baby should have thrived.

From a tender, inviting womb
To a hard, unfeeling hospital
Death… sent my daughters
Into the cold.
But they never knew.
Only warmth surrounded them
While their hearts were beating.