Fear Not, Death

Fear not death 
when it comes for you...
Death is not a monster, 
not even a master, but
a servant--
having no more choice 
in the taking of you than 
you have in the going....

And if you are defiant, 
telling lonely Death,
"By my hand, not yours, 
I will set my own fate!"
Death will smirk, laugh, 
and say without rancor:
"Take my job, please! 
It has never given me
a moment's pleasure. 
To be forever feared,
hated, despised--
when all I have ever done
was to open a door....

But know, proud human, 
(the only animal who
disputes my work), 
when YOU turn the knob,
yes, to eternity's door...
it may not lead you
to the same place 
as when I open it."

I knew his meaning, 
responded contritely:
"Fear not, Death--
I will not resist 
your silent coming. 
I know Who issues 
your deadly orders.  
Forgive us humans
for our denial: 
we keep forgetting 
we exist always, and 
this life is but 
a scratch in time."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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12
Perna Avatar
November 14, 2021 at 4:21 PM
You're so talented! Amazing writing! Wow, all of your poems incredible!
Carber Avatar
November 16, 2021 at 9:08 AM
Thank you Diane-- some of them were very hard won...
Alex Avatar
July 29, 2021 at 8:46 PM
Ye, to eternity door... A beautiful write. Congratulations on your win!
Carber Avatar
July 30, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Thank you, my friend
Balasubramanian Avatar
September 28, 2020 at 8:17 AM
Would love to know more about your experience. Have you written s poem on it? It would have been wonderful and of course life changing.
Carber Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 10:01 AM
See the poem ,'The Leap'
Balasubramanian Avatar
September 28, 2020 at 4:44 AM
This reminds me of a verse of Bhagvad Gita which states death is mere change of clothes for the soul. If you get time do read Gita chapter two in net. Was reading your poems. I like your style of writing. Rama
Carber Avatar
September 28, 2020 at 7:50 AM
Thank you Rama--all the Holy Books proclaim the soul, and I was fortunate enough to experience its irrefutable reality.
Mishra Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 2:31 AM
Oh I am so glad I got to read this one! You resonate my perceptions on death with a sparkling muse. In the end, if we live to the fullest, we know how to embrace death like an old friend waiting for us. I'd written a verse on my conversation with death. Congratulations on your win :) Blessings
Carber Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Thank you Aditi--yes, I learned 50 years ago-- the hard way, as I tend to--that death is a door, not a wall--the tricky part is what world that door leads a particular soul to...
Drowley Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 12:45 PM
'L.J., Congratulations on your excellent and very thoughtful poem. Well-deserved win! David'
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:45 PM
Thank you David, much appreciated!
Goldsmith Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your poem. A wonderful write. Enjoy your win and day................
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:45 PM
Thanks Paula, I'm glad you liked it
Chutani Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 6:37 AM
A superb write LJ. Congrats on top win. Mohan
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Thank you Mohan
Agustin Avatar
June 15, 2020 at 9:38 PM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this, and for sharing your talent. God bless you.
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Gracias, mi amiga, y vaya con Dios tambien!
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 15, 2020 at 7:17 PM
This is stunning L.J.! I am so happy she gave you First Place for it.Congratulations my friend. It deserves the honor! xxoo
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:51 PM
Thanks Connie-- hope you and yours are all well--go with God...
Kauffman Avatar
April 4, 2020 at 10:26 PM
Congratulations LJ. Profound poem.
Carber Avatar
April 5, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Thanks Sam--God bless!
Chiri Avatar
April 4, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Wonderful poetry at its finest my friend! Congrats on your #1 win!;)
Carber Avatar
April 5, 2020 at 1:49 PM
Thank you Brenda--may you and yours go with God in these fraught times.
Pandit Avatar
April 4, 2020 at 2:48 PM
This is brilliant, L. J.--view from other side. Congrats on your well deserved first place win.
Carber Avatar
June 16, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Sorry I missed thanking you before, Vijay
Dietrich Avatar
February 22, 2020 at 6:56 PM
YES, you think just like me, and guess what? I HAD seen this one before. This is what I had said back in 2015: outstanding message in this poem. I think the judge made some wise choices. I am already loving the first and second place winners. congrats.
Carber Avatar
February 23, 2020 at 9:39 AM
Sorry Andrea--my memory!
Chiri Avatar
January 8, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win!;)
Carber Avatar
January 8, 2020 at 12:39 PM
Thank you, Brenda
Marc Avatar
December 1, 2019 at 11:17 PM
So well said my friend (Fav).
Carber Avatar
December 2, 2019 at 9:11 AM
Thank you-- I wrote it as a counterpoint to Dylan Thomas's advice to 'rage, rage, against the dying light'. I learned-- the hard way-- almost 50 years ago that death is a door, not a wall.
Barry-Nishanian Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 10:00 PM
Your win . introduced me to you. Look forward to reading other poems. Congrats!
Carber Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 10:12 PM
Thank you, Barbara, your interest is very much appreciated.
Neumann Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 2:37 AM
Beautifully penned and an interesting take on the theme. Congratulations on your win. Kai
Carber Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 8:20 AM
Thank you Kai-- I appreciate the kind words.
Gauthier Avatar
April 9, 2018 at 12:02 PM
Wow, L.J. Spectacular - this reading was like a breathtaking play before my eyes!! A definite FAVE for me. Thank you.
Carber Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Thanks Line-- I tried to address our contemporary secular attitude as something feared so much we try to put it out of mind.
Roper Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 12:20 PM
Excellent write, L.J. , congratulations on your win... Hugs Eve ~`*
Carber Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Thank you Eve, I appreciate it very much
Lamoureux Avatar
April 16, 2017 at 12:52 AM
Congrats, thanks for entering my contest.
Carber Avatar
April 19, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Thank you, Richard-- I am honored.
Roper Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 2:03 PM
Congratulations on your win a7. Hugs Eve
A  Avatar
June 25, 2015 at 11:17 PM
Len, this is a wonderful win. WUV **SKAT**
A   Avatar
June 25, 2015 at 10:41 PM
Len, congratulations on your win. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
Wigley Avatar
June 25, 2015 at 9:58 PM
You would have had a winner with only the last five lines, Len, but a great write all in all. Congratulations, and I hope that you are a lot lower down the reaper's list than you are in this competition. Regards, Viv
12
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