So saieth Death

I who slept before the light

And roused as it grew dim

Are conqueror of man and world

Thy own eternity grim

 

I took thy Kings and Emperors

Mocked their awesome thrones

In a different pomp I laid them low

With dirt adorned their bones

 

I took your children sleeping

Laid them safely to their slumber

The rest that bears no waking

Though tears like boulders thunder

 

I take thy ages from thee

Thy noble times and sad

And level them in memory

And in rejoicings glad

 

The love that may have faded

Safe it's lights will lie

I guard it 'gainst the ages

To mock you men that die

 

For all the frantic splendour

The trembling of your brain

Only I remember

That you felt love and pain

 

When rotten time's unravelled

The works that you have done

The roads that you have travelled

With other feet are run

 

And I remain triumphant

The fight with life is won

I'll be forever with you

'Til the dying of the sun

Reviews

[Analgesia]

I like this use of a more venerable vernacular, it characterizes death properly, ancient, antiquitated, ever waiting. The patient ever mocking spirit who takes like a theif in the night, yet gives us our humanity. This style also makes him seem distant and unchangeable, I like that you are saying something with your technique as well as the raw substance of the poem. I think this stanza in particular draws me to this poem:

For all the frantic splendour
The trembling of your brain
Only I remember
That you felt love and pain

That is why we write after all, it is an immortality that is not selfish, but selfless. We bare to the world our souls so that they might defeat that plundering spirit as well. Even though in the end life always loses it's battle. Makes me feel kind of helpless sometimes, but I suppose, like I said, that's what being human is: being helpless against death. Good read, I hope I was of assistance.