I Have No Right to Die

I have no right to die
Spoke the reaper to me
On a cold autumn's night
When all other life had fallen
To the robed spectre's scythe.

"I have lived past my youth
And there is nothing in which
For me to cling", I replied.
"Why do you strand me in life
In this, the season of Death?"

Nothing exists for me to cling
For I have sought nothing out,
The reaper admonished. I have
lived in sloth and thus have not
lived at all.

I could not deny Death the truth.
Life was a chore in which I had
To endure. Other than the acts of
Taking a breath or swallowing
Food, I had no energy to offer.

How can I die if I have never lived?
The reaper inquired. Even the still
Trees prove their existence by
Housing the squirrel and giving
Life's breath to the atmosphere.

"It is true", I answered the
Great dark shade, "I have wasted
My life, my only action being the sin
Of sloth. But still, why allow me to live?
Why grant me something I do not honor?"

"Fool!" the reaper rumbled his icy
Voice which froze my spine and halted
My breath. "Sleep eternal awaits all
That lives. Death punishes not. Death
frees the soul.

Know this: Immortality is not my
Gift to you, it is my curse!"