Special meeting
Psst! Are you there?
(The person hears something trying to call their attention while they are sitting in a flower meadow.)
Nope, not yet
(The voice continues)
Can you hear?
Yes, loud and clear!
Can you breathe?
Yes, slow as the breeze.
How’s your mind?
(Now the person tilts their head, still looking forward, but still not looking the source of “that” voice)
Running miles per hour, that’s for sure
(The voice got closer to the person, but the person didn’t even flinch, still with his face up and his gaze fixed forward)
What did you see?
So many memories… *lost in thought*
Good or bad?
(intercepts with some urgency and curiosity)
Honestly. A mixture of both
Hum… How’s your body?
(The person stops to actually think about it, while “the voice” places its hand on his shoulder to relieve them)
Kinda heavy, and now lightheaded,
(The person turns to see “that” voice, and then lies down and looks at the sky,)
(but the voice only looks at him expectantly)
…I feel like floating on water.
(…)
Good. How’s heart?
Getting slower
(Their hand is on their heart, barely feeling his heartbeat,)
(“the voice” just watches)
Any fears or regrets?
(“The voice” was getting sweeter, the person showed a sad smile)
Maybe, but I don’t care anymore.
It doesn’t matter anymore
What about people?
(The voice asks with a hint of genuine curiosity)
I will miss them…
Sorry for any inconvenience. *chuckles*
…Hope they move forward.
(The person looks to the “source” smiling)
And I am proud of them.
(The “voice” smiles for the warm answer so “it” decides…)
Anything you want from me?
Just take care of them please,
and let them know this ain’t their fault.
(The person tries to reach to “the voice” kneeled beside them)
*Slowly Nodes* Any last words?
I lived my life how I wanted, finally I can say “I can rest in peace”. *dramatic / playful voice* Farewell cruel world, you were good while you lasted.
(The voice only looks at him tenderly and looks around contemplating the landscape but little by little that tranquility begins to fade)
Are you scared?
A little …
You knew this would happen.
(It was not a question, but a confirmation)
I did expected it,
I could feel it so…
there was no use on stoping the inevitable
So… you just knew.
Yes. I have been avoiding you for so long,
I knew my time would come.
But I am ready.
Are you sure?
Yes, I am sure.
Am I there yet?
Nop, but you are very close …
What do I have to do!!
(They began to get desperate, and the voice can’t think of anything to do despite the fact that he has experienced this before)
Well …
You gotta be at peace with yourself and the life you had.
…Just Then embrace me
(The person just looks at him decisively, and is willing to tell you…)
I am at peace with myself and the life I lived.
And now I embrace you now…
Say my name
D3@TH
SAY MY NAME!!
DEATH!!!
(After an abrupt silence that was between each other, the the wind blew, breaking the silence with the role of peace after the outburst: “the calm after the storm” leaving Death pleased by their response.)
Very Well Then…
*whisper* Now close your eyes
They are heavy now
That is OK my child
(looking at the person with compassion)
Don’t be scared
*With a broken voice and trembling lips*
I don’t wanna go…
I know,
(Caressing the person’s head and cheek)
But now is my turn to take care of you
(It worked! Both with a smile on their faces)
(Death’s words are reflected in his actions calming the trembling body next to it)
I don’t wanna feel pain
Trust me you wont
…
Can you trust me?
I trust you
Hold my hand
(Death gestures for me to hold his hand, however…)
I can’t move it
The I’ll take it
(Death realized this, and decides to hold his hand on his chest)
(Death realized how fragile the person’s hand was, felt the soft, callused skin how little by little it lost heat)
I don’t wanna be alone
I’ll be with you the whole time, even in you final breath
It was subtle but it could faintly feel something running on their face. Their face was completely numb, with a faint sore throat until… it just stop. Muerte knew exactly what it meant.
…You know… I can shape shift…
(To calm the human)
If that is what you need from me…
*Chuckles* I’ll be ok it wouldn’t be necessary
(Smiles) Thanks Muerte. I am glad that you are with me.
Life is there when something born,
but I am there when something dies
I meet some sooner than others
But life and me balance the world
…As best we can
*chuckles
Sometimes we cause things but others things are your own doing,
sometimes we don’t even need to intervene.
(Looked like the person wanted to argue but new that Death had a point)
…
(A couple seconds of silence and there was another tear running down their face)
Please my child don’t be afraid
Everything is a cycle of life to welcome the newborn line
You did the best you could
You reach your potential
Stay with me a couple more minutes to adore what life gave you
(The person was looking directly to death then the ski again feeling a ghost of their hand try to reach the sky and an urge of smile that was saying little by little, and getting weaker)
…Death I am drifting away…
But I will remember this-
Maybe you won’t
Fair enough
(Look into the “eyes” of death)
But I needed some reassurance…
and laugh a little
(They looked at me tenderly and I was somewhat shocked)
You creatures still surprise me
What can I say?
our sense of humor has its charms
(Death turn its face away from the human, but the can tell that was trying to suppress a smile)
Got a point kid *chuckles*
(looks at the person and speaking so softly)
Are you ready to go?
Yeah. Now i am ready.
Alright then…
You may close your eyes
*Eyes close*
Now. Ready for your last breath…
….
“Thanks life and death”
…
(So that was it, it was time… the breeze the there’s the animals and the meadow where witness of this day of this meeting giving respect to what was happening)
Rest now my child
(Death loosen its grip that has on the person but didn’t take away their hand, still place on their hand)
Rest in peace
You live your life
You live it well
(Death grabs the body in the ground to hold the person while his hand continues to hold the inert hand of the person intertwining them as a last wish)
(Death gradually began to disappear with the wind, as well as the body he was carrying)
“AND THE CYCLE OF LIFE CONTINUES”.
The End
Some Inspiration:
My process for this writing:
I have always been drawn to creative writing since I was a little girl because I found that I could express myself better through writing than words. This was based on thoughts I have in my journal this semester, being inspired by movies that have the concept or representation of “death” but also realizing that life is too short and everything is unexpected. I wanted to explore the positive side of this, what it would be like if we didn’t fear death, and that death could be the point where we are at peace with ourselves. That when our time comes, it ends on a positive note. Also, for people who feel fear or anxiety just hearing the concept, they are not alone, and perhaps this can give them a new perspective. When you feel the presence of death, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s here to take you away, but rather to redirect, remind, and teach people “what was life worth?” reminding you why you are still so afraid of him and why you have to live happily again, whatever that means to you.
Choosing the concept was not difficult, because I already had a draft, but I wanted to expand it further. Making it more realistic and familiar to people, using my storytelling skills but always putting a part of myself into the work I’m doing. Because for me it’s one thing to put information into facts or think about what the audience wants from me. However, what I want a job to be “my job” is to leave fragments of myself that are as genuine and vulnerable as possible, but I hope I can inspire someone, and if I did, that’s enough for me.
(Author’s note:
THE IMAGES AREN’T MINE, THEY WERE USED AS INSPIRATION, GIVE CREDIT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS!
The translations are not all literal, there are some translations for context. The versions may be slightly different but the context of the story is the same.)
Some of the Challenges:
The difficult part was formatting the draft into the page, and my work would completely erase after not saving it the first time.
Then I got to do a google doc and mix up both languages editing is complicated when you work both languages at the same time while writing the outline for the story.
Not to mention that adding more things that you didn’t have in the previous version and remind yourself edit that later. I wanted to make it as general as possible but also remember if I edit one version to also remember to edit the other (Spanish – English).
Also, another complicated thing in the Spanish version was just because of the “gender norms” in writhing and try to be as anonymous neutral as possible, in that sense the English was easier for me. Learning about the web page in general was a challenge but a good one.
My plans changed a lot along the way I wanted to at least put another 3 more short poems or like a Table of content like book to get to each chapter but, oh well.
Picture Credits:
(Also to Any hand/digital draw fan art)
