Death Itself: And Other Poems

Death Itself

I ran and I sputtered

My breath was like rain

It fell to the pavement

With excruciating pain

I was running from life

I was running from death

The two coincide

When you're short on your breath

The streetlights were dim

And the shadows grew stronger

I knew that I couldn't

Hold out for much longer

Still I kept going

One foot then the other

Just when I thought

I had lost them, another

They chased me with screams

That pierced like a knife

And soon I was faced

With the shortness of life

The commander appeared

Moving swift through the fog

With a wave of his hand

He called off his dogs

I panted and gasped

But still held my voice

Because given the chance

To hide was my choice

The commander approached

Cloak dark as the night

And though he said nothing

He gave me a fright

His icy cold air

Sent a chill down my back

But still he moved slowly

No sign of attack

I raised just one eyebrow

A questioning look

If only I knew

My last breath I then took

For the shape was too quick

I felt small as an elf

For I knew coming towards me

Was, yes, Death itself

With a slash of his sickle

My life met it's end

But he greeted me kindly

And now we are friends

One day soon you will meet him

Everyone will

I ask you not to fear him

It's only his job to kill