A Damnation

Here I behold my shadow, And it stares back at my horror Giggling up at my very cold soul- I seize fright, I take flight There I peep through the mirror, And panic at the radial terror The eyes, the wrinkles, the color- Where is death; there should be no morrow! Before me lies my photo, once discarded afar from aversion How did it return to my parlor? Who pierced its eyes, X-ed the forehead? Then I behold my Cadaver In the red casket, sweat on its brow- What crime soils my hands? Is there no peace even in Death? In disgust I turn away-to flee But - the toll of bells - hollow knells- Then from behind echoes a hoarse shriek I recoil to behold that cold cadaver Stagger from its doomed red casket and with its mouldy hand, blackened by damnation, Reach for my poor soul Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!