Send Me Off in Peace

Frightened of what follows, he seeks temporary relief in what he left behind years ago,

I am wrapped in white sheets,
the light of day my guest.
A man of God walks in,
dressed in his Sunday best.

He says he offers peace,
but I wonder the cost.
He asks, do you believe,
or is your cause but lost?

I bark a laugh and grin,
and say, I’m afraid not.
So hold your breath, young lad,
and hear what truth I got.

I was read stories once,
as a child by the bed.
Stories of a great man,
and the people he led.

They spoke of him in books,
they spoke of him in song.
Today they still give praise,
and I never saw it wrong.

Know, I was like you once,
a man of strong belief.
But as bound by a book,
I was pulled down by grief.

What lies ahead for me,
is dark and grim indeed.
But what I’ve found is truth,
and truth is all I need.

My flesh will soon be stripped,
by denizens of dirt.
My soul does not exist,
therefore I won’t know hurt.

Do I ascend to clouds,
or descend to fiery reign?
The answer is neither,
both tempting, both in vain.

I see no friends of old,
or parents lost to time.
I simply see nothing,
surely that is no crime?

This is all I must pay,
for a life lived in full.
I’ve found little regret,
and no moment too dull.

But now I feel troubled,
of this death I find cold.
I would rather sleep, then,
to stories being told.

You see now, my good man,
my path is none of ease.
So come here, you of faith,
and send me off in peace.