When all is blackened out
relinquished of 
air for lungs
and bread for bellies;
when despair reigns
its darkened clouds
and lonely corners
stealing hope and light and love;
when apathy sits
like an elephant 
on the chest of a mouse,
and nothing can be 
seen
or heard
or touched
or spoken,
and death looms
and plunders
and suffers all – 

remember – 

breathe in spite of it
love in the face of it
live in the midst of it.

The greatest response 
to death
is life.