I see him wave at family
And friends
And those in between
As he stood at the height of the airstairs
Gone to seek medical care abroad
For a diseases that has been knocking
And he’s felt too scared to open

Here he returns
As a package flown in by air
The head of a family, mentor and leader
Lying among luggage
Family confirms he is indeed their beloved
Body moved to the morgue

I watch the sad scene
Reminds me of a story I once read
That as part of the initiation rites of an ancient emperor
He is made to touch marble stones
As a reminder that as great as he was
He was dust and not rock of ages

I think about my words and attitude
My life in general
I see many things I need to reconsider