(like a past life that’s been forgotten)

“Hello, old friend,” Death greeted me.

“Oh, have we met before?”

“Don’t you remember? We’ve met a few times.”

“No, I don’t remember. Would you please remind me?”

“Well, usually I don’t do this,” he said, “but we are old friends. I’ll remind you,” he paused then asked me again, “don’t you remember being a hummingbird, watching the storm?”

I stare at him in a blank.

“Don’t you remember waiting for me at the edge of a cliff, as a lion? Don’t you remember picking coffee berries when we met a hundred years ago?”

“Don’t you remember meeting me as a warrior? You lost the battle, but you fought well and in a way, you won it from Life. You have always been a brave soul.”

“Don’t you remember when I saved you from the cold water?”

“Don’t you remember dancing until all the lights went out?”

“Don’t you remember yesterday, when you kissed your lover?”

I have a lover. “Was it yesterday? Why don’t I remember yesterday? I don’t remember having a lover,” I said. “Why can’t I remember him?”

“Her. Him. They don’t matter now,” Death said softly. “We meet again, as always. I am your oldest friend and I will guide you to eternity, and leave you there.”

“Why don’t I remember?” I insisted. “I need to know.”

Death whispered,
“You traded your memory for Life. You should ask him when you meet him.”

“Will we meet again?”

“Certainly.”

Death is certain, while Life is a maybe.
I heard him giggling. “I never knew Death could joke,” I said.

“Oh, I joke all the time,” he smiled. “We both do, Life and I.”

“Okay, old friend,” I said. “Now let’s meet him.”

And we walked toward eternity.