There are spirit presences
Around my bed
Waiting for me to die.
They are in no great hurry
Nor am I.

Do not fear death,
I whisper to my keepers.
Fear life if it goes on too long.
For the lost losers
Make winners weepers.

It’s so quiet tonight
I can hear the angels breathing.
Our hands are transparent,
As veined as autumn leaves.
I rest in their arms
And sense the mist rising.

 “In the Night,” by Carolyn Kizer from Cool, Calm & Collected Poems 1960-2000 (Copper Canyon Press).