"Life and Death" Inspired by Loteria:

Life and Death

He is hard and stern

but never malicious.

He is fair.

His name is Justice,

Attendant of Life.


She is soft and amiable

but not to be underestimated.

She is generous.

Her name is Mercy,

Attendant of Death.


Justice is strict

because he wants to help

us learn and improve

in this life –

our preparation for what follows.


His consequences

are given impartially,

unable to let

emotions or relationships

hinder his duty to be just.


Mercy takes us

as we are in the end –

as we have become

thanks, in part,

to the role of Justice.


Her invitation, once accepted,

frees us from this life,

and takes us into the next.

Mercy encourages our weary souls

in anticipation of the next journey.


She offers all that she can,

even to those too

stubborn, tired, suspicious, proud

to receive any help in the end

with her interpretation of each life.


In the end,

Justice and Mercy are only guides.

Their perspectives on what we have done

only assist

upon acceptance of their lessons.


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