In a different time, in a different place
There was a small boy in a boat
Traveling down a river catching fish from the side
When he came upon two figures walking along the banks of the river
As he came close enough to make them out more clearly
He discovered that one was a tall man
And the other was a beautiful woman
"Hello", said the man
"Hello", said the woman
"Hello", said the boy
"My name is Death", said the man
"And this my friend, her name is Love"
"It is a pleasure to meet you", said the boy
"Won't you come and walk with us today?" asked Love
"For in this forest there are many
Beautiful and wonderful things we can show you"
"Ah", said the boy, "It is a kind invitation
But I'm afraid that if I was to leave this boat and come walk with you
I would miss all of the fish that are yet to be caught in this river
And what greater joy is there to a
Boy than to pull the fish from a river?"
And he continued on his way
Many years later, when the boy had grown to a man
He was walking through the forest carrying his tools for work
He came upon Death and Love walking in the opposite direction
"Hello", said the man
"Hello", said Death
"Hello", said Love
"Won't you come and walk with us?" asked Love
"For it has been many years since we first met
And even on this road you walk every day of your life
There are many beautiful and wonderful things we can show you"
"Ah", said the man, "It is a kind invitation
But I'm not as naïve as I was when we first met
I know now that if I was to walk with you
And turn to speak with Love, I will have left my back towards Death
And his dangers have become famous to me
If I was to turn and speak with
Death, I will have left my back to Love
And even the most beautiful flower in
The forest will look broken and decayed"
"Besides", said the man, "I have much work to do"
And he continued on his way
Many years later, when the man had grown old
And his beard was long and white
And his face looked like a map of the mountains
Death came to visit him
"Hello", said the man
"Hello", said Death
"All of these years I have looked to find her alone", said the man
"But whenever I came near, I found that you were there also"
"Ah", said Death, sitting down beside the man
"That was your mistake
For wherever Love is, I am close behind
She displays my power and my poetry and even my beauty
When I am nearby, Love's face shines brighter
The colors of the earth burn truer
And time itself speeds"
"I have always avoided her to be clear of you", said the man
"And I too have made a mistake", said Death, rising to his feet
"By never telling you that I always come alone in the end"