That water moves
every moment of every day
until the freeze of winter.

Those birds sing
every morning in the sun
until they fly at fall.

These trees are living green
no matter the season
until a fire comes to burn.

And this heart beats
with relentless rhythm
until the breath gives way.

So, as long as it beats
I will move, I will sing, I will live—

except for now,
when I am

quiet enough
and
still enough

to know

it still beats.