Courting Death

Said Death, “I can tell from the shock in your eyes
that my coming for you is quite a surprise.”
Said the daredevil in arrogant style,
“I wasn’t expecting you for quite a while.
My fans all expect me to put on a show;
come back again when I’m ready to go.”
“Unfortunate for you,” said Death with a grin,
“you’ll be coming with me; the show must end.”

Said Death, “I conclude from your haunted eyes
that my coming for you is not a surprise.”
Said the cancer patient, fraught with pain,
“My physical body is all that remains;
my spirit left a long time ago.
This end has been agonizingly slow.”
“Come with me,” said Death, “and end your plight.
Your body will follow your spirit this night.”

Said Death, “I suspect from the horror in your eyes
that my coming for you must be a surprise.”
The small boy said, “I was just having fun.
How was I to know it was a loaded gun?
Mommy and Daddy, they’ll be so upset.”
Death said soothingly, “Dear child, don’t fret;
your parents know you’re not at fault.
Safe gun-handling should have been taught.”

Said Death, “I can tell from your welcoming eyes
that my coming for you was not a surprise.”
“I’ve been waiting for you so very long;
my desire for you so achingly strong.
Take hold of me in your cold embrace,”
said the suicidal girl, looking Death in the face.
She said, “Please, take me with you; I want to die.”
“I cannot, it’s not your time,” came Death’s final reply.