Death's Dismissal

Death’s Dismissal I have seen death masquerading in its many faces, the fear of those holding numbers, the agony of those not. Stared into the dimly fading headlights of the passing vehicle, slowing as the vision dimmed, the agony increased. I have seen death take the unsuspecting in an instant, snatch the breath of youth, impose its ugliness upon an empty future, string barbed wire upon memory. I have watched death peering cowardly from non-existent shadows, haunting our moments without care, stealing, in hurtful bits and pieces, the warmth of life’s slowing breath. I have touched death in weakness and denial of my life, pleaded for release without conviction, felt the loneliness and terror of submission, saw the saddened eyes of death’s dismissal, heard a number called, not mine, but death’s. John G. Lawless submitted to Death Shadow – Poetry Contest sponsor – Justin Bordner