Death Comes

The Angel of Death

In the twilight sat I in the midst of my comforts galore,

Puffing cigar by the fire place warm;

Whilst satiated was I by the contentment of my life:

The bounty of my gains, the fondness of family and friends.

Then appeared to me a figure grim, familiar though strange;

Out of nowhere came he, and wax and gaunt and semi-glad his countenance seemed.

And before I could muster the power of a word to utter, he spoke to me direct

In a mode most serious, with raspy whisper; yet tinged with pleasant though haunting charm:

“Gather life savings;

Thy belly stuff-up;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Thy body take care;

Keep fit, stay healthy;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Possessions keep safe;

Nurse reputation;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Thy time spend writing;

Invest hours working;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Organise photos;

Memories ponder;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Thy network expand;

Friends and spouse cherish;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Plant a fine garden;

Nature admire;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Harvest more learning;

Discuss and read much;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Feed pride with success;

Experience relish;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Draw pleasure from arts;

Ambitions let soar;

Then death comes and takes it away.

Enter world naked;

Depart the world bare.

Naught did come with thee,

Thus naught can thou take.

For all life starts poor, 

And to such a state

Death doth return all;

Since this night doth bring

New life of dawn’s day,

As winter brings spring,

Yet this latter May

Dost not fade away.”  

And ceasing to speak

Nearer did he draw,

But a breath away.

Then at once went on:

“Lastly, thou must know

If thou want to don

Meaning here bellow- 

In life this pearl bring:

All things death doth shove

In grave ‘cept one thing:

The wealth of one’s love,

Which thou alone canst take above.”

Then figure vanished

Before mine own eyes;

For death came and took me away.

24th November, 2014.