I.
embrace death
it is everyone’s end
accept the coldness
into your spirit well
before it strikes you
down, go down to it
II.
choose life
to live every day
accept what it gives
with an open spirit
don’t let life slip away
step up, live up to it
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” –Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV
Palinode poem where first verse is refuted by second…link to dVerse poetics with Grace hosting today.
a poem in my pocket 
May 09, 2021 @ 20:45:36
I love what you have done with this one and the tied in reference! A twist with a choice death or life!
May 10, 2021 @ 20:23:34
Thanks for your comments, Dwight 🙂
May 09, 2021 @ 09:41:42
Two parts… you have to accept both (we actually have no choice as humans)
May 10, 2021 @ 20:25:10
Sadly, sometimes we choose to be self-destructive (or destroy others).
May 08, 2021 @ 14:18:25
I so love the contrast in your Palinode, Lynn 🙂 Accept what it gives.. yes.. it’s the only way to be 💝💝
May 08, 2021 @ 20:21:43
Thank you, Sanaa 🙂
May 07, 2021 @ 13:17:42
Lynn,
The verse from Deuteronomy punctuates what you already say so profoundly. “Choose life …” as the palinode exhorts against the earlier “embrace death,” its coldness into the spirit, as opposed to accepting life’s gifts. A clear delineation between two attitudes that lead away from or towards true life.
∼🕊Dora
May 07, 2021 @ 19:23:08
Yes, exactly…thanks for your insight, Dora!
May 07, 2021 @ 06:22:13
I’ll take number two please! Reminds me of what Red said in The Shawshank Redemption: ‘Get busy livin’, or Get busy dyin’ – except the other way around 🙂
May 07, 2021 @ 08:54:52
Yep! Thanks, Ingrid 🙂
May 07, 2021 @ 02:10:54
As I read your palinode, Lynn, I imagined a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Life and death are the two constants, but for so many not a choice.
May 07, 2021 @ 04:52:03
Ultimately, God holds our life in his hands…a comfort or a curse.
May 06, 2021 @ 18:15:03
What a contrast of attitude, embracing death vs. choosing life. I personally would choose life. Thanks for joining us Lynn.
May 06, 2021 @ 21:04:02
Thanks for the interesting prompt, Grace. First time I heard of palinode 🙂
May 06, 2021 @ 18:02:12
A nice mirror image. It’s a straight-forward palinode, but that just makes your impact using it all the stronger. Life vs Death, Action vs Submission, Despair and Hope. Delightful stuff.
May 06, 2021 @ 21:04:27
Thanks for your comments!
May 06, 2021 @ 17:25:35
Holding one or the other of these perspectives will manifest a self-fulfilling prophecy. Go for the life, I say! Nicely done, Lynn 🙂
May 06, 2021 @ 17:32:11
Yes, choose life…thanks, Lisa!
May 06, 2021 @ 17:44:32
You’re welcome.