The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.

Anonymous

Covet

They are selfish and they covet that which 

is beyond their reach within their own world 

of desire: fellowship, heart-felt 

and sought after. 

It has long been their fervent wish, this strong 

need that has never come to pass.  To hear

what those now estranged have to say 

and to make themselves understood. 

They do not communicate and share their equal visions: 

Not among their own kind nor each group with 

the other side, still and tacit, 

both large crowds remain,  each in great fear of 

what surrounds, living flesh, or ghosts that haunt dreams 

planning a desperate grab.

For the living and the dead compete 

but should they concur? There will come a time, 

if each bloc wishes to survive,

an unchained meeting of the minds, detente

must take place and all competition must end. 

Until then each is enslaved by the other.