Endless Time (Part I)
Delicately it came rapping upon my front door
while I laid down to rest that cold dark night
quietly at first then heavy pounding, pounding.
An unfamiliar visitor stood waiting for entrance
yet even now I know not why I cowered in fear.
Ominous fingers of foreboding seized my soul
as I prayed the unwelcome guest would depart,
even as thunderous pounding, pounding persisted.
Minutes lingered and grew into sleepless hours
when I arose from my bed nigh three in the morn
tumultuous pounding, pounding refusing to end
I flung the door open wide to bark my displeasure
but was met by a sinister figure upright before me
clothed in drab hooded robe, face hidden from view
in left hand held a scythe, wood and gleaming steel
A voice, more a moan, commands, “It is time to go.”
“What evil has come to my door?” I questioned.
“I am neither evil nor good,” the specter replied.
“I am -- nothing more nothing less, Death be my name.”
The scythe quickly raised to inflict one fatal blow
I shouted “Wait for one moment, won’t you come in?”
Arced high at its peak, sharp glimmering blade paused
‘til lowered slowly, butt resting again on the floor.
The wraith glided slowly across the narrow threshold.
I offered Death a seat and a drink, only the seat taken.
An aged brandy I sipped while we chatted ‘til dawn,
me learning about death as Death learned about life.
Death: neither man nor woman, lacking heart or soul,
feels not emotions of pleasure or grief or hope or despair,
yet simply exists, for without life death cannot be.
So with new knowledge of Death, a covenant I made.
Not ready to leave, in this mortal world I chose to remain.
Copyright © Michael Santner | Year Posted 2005
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