I love death, my own

from poetry collection: Geometric Shapes and Non-linear Narratives written during a depressive episode one autumn

I love death, my own

as I love life.

I embrace it -- all its mighty

strength

my arms weak,

shoulders heavy with hunger.

Death, I am.

I am Death, the cloaked thing

loyal friend,

merciful ghost.

Life, this world 

and the world beyond

the bottomless fall, the faithful leap

They yell and weep

Yell and weep, they all.

The chasm.

Life. Death. And what lies in between

I am standing by that chasm

Let me walk you

across that bridge.

Hand in hand

our shoulders merge together

and two lights -- 

one of hope, one of fear

the faithless stand here, naïve

watching and waiting as

Time blows them out.

It blows them out

like a candle... 

In Saitama, the sky is beautiful.

Every day, the clouds gather like congregations

of enormous size and mass

Love you, they say, love you 'til the very last. 

Author's Note

I am okay. This was written years ago during a particularly melancholic time of my life.

Reviews

[Amy R]

Wow, I loved this poem, it shows us so many things including accepting life as is...to be alive and enjoying it all, we must first accept death.

Words like "embrace," "mighty," "loyal," and "merciful" convey a sense of reverence and acceptance toward death. The juxtaposition of "hope" and "fear" further illustrates the duality of the human experience. Great write and imagery too.

This poem encourages us readers to accept life as is and death included, for they both go hand in hand.
Thank u for sharing such a deep poem,
-Amy

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thank you Amy, your words are so encouraging. i really want to invite readers to give their own interpretation, but you really captured what i was thinking and feeling at the time. accepting death is the hardest thing anyone can do, yet we must.

[Amy R]

You're welcome, really happy to hear this,
Have a good evening and weekend.

[Erika]

Very touching. I loved the imagery. The comparison between Death and the Loyal friend really spoke to me, as it is only truth - death is the one companion that will always find its way to us. Very beautifully written poem.
I'm glad to know you are doing alright. Take care.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

Thank you. I love your comment. i want to frame it and hang it up. i'm very glad that it spoke to you.

[Soren]

"I am death, the cloaked thing" a powerful line. Death is cloaked from all of us until that moment that it arrives. Seppuku seems not as cultural as some think the mighty Viking could only reach Vallhala by warriors death. Death only the other side of the coin of life one can not exist without the other. The Yin and Yang so to speak. I did not hear the poem as a threat but as an exploration and acceptance.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

The Viking and the samurai both worshipped the Gods of War. I am a pacifist, but the warrior's blood flows through my veins (fun fact: I am an actual descendant of a bushido) and i have always thought about how i will die. it inspired a lot of my writing.

[Soren]

Most interesting I am a direct decendent of Norwegian vikings and am a pacifist as well.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

hey, awesome xD

[berenongur]

Life. Death. And what lies in between
wow thats impressive. i love it. and im glad you are okay now

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks for your kind review, always glad to receive it!