Too Near To Death

Too Near To Death I have lived too near to death to give it sway, walked hand in hand, weighed it in the balance of the days hidden in the darkness of its lies. For death is neither quick, nor well prepared, unsure why he was summoned way too soon to tend the dying of one bent on life. So it was we walked our lonely path brought together by the whim of chance, entwined in tryst of tyrants killing will, bound in a union cursed from the start, a dance for which he never had the heart, as death prefers the sudden form of self and rues the days he wandered at my side. I have touched the hem of death’s long, putrid robes, tempted him in times of failing trust, toyed with the freedom of release, begged for the silence of his peace, and yet refused to use his hands to comfort me, withdrew my pleas, for I had sworn an oath to never give the bastards call to gloat - so stood and honed my anger into truth - so stood and waged my battle with life’s brute. Death wept at our parting, freeing me from debts life had incurred. Death wept on hearing of the horrors I’d endured. I have been close to death and found that he is in no rush - for time is his lone ally. For all of us must die and even Death himself takes issue when he must come too soon. 10/23/2014 Submitted to Near Death or Near Life Experience – Poetry contest sponsor – Anthony Slausen