By Ric Hudgens, who had a stroke on the first day of winter 2018-19

I’m not dead yet.
We laughed at the line
from Monty Python
but remembered it.

All men are mortal
is the philosophical premise
we try to forget.

Last month
I almost died
after a stroke
laid me low.

I knew my death
was always a possibility
still I was surprised.

Unlike Dylan Thomas
I lay there gently
startled but not resisting.

I’ve lived some good years
and happiness has been
my friend and companion.

But I learned the exhiliration
of being loved to life.

I’m not dead.
Yet.

I’m uncertain
which is bigger surprise.

Let the laughter begin again.