When Death Comes Riding By

inspired by Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night"

When Death comes riding by

We won't shed a single tear

We'll look it right in the eye

Say "we intend to stay right here"

Because we are made of blood and bone

But we have souls of solid stone

We will fight the cursed unknown

We're claiming our life's throne

We hold our heads up high

Together, standing without fear

We know that to live is to die

But "not today" is our cheer

Because we are made of blood and bone

But we have souls of solid stone

We will fight the cursed unknown

We're claiming our life's throne

All from Death we will defy 

We're soldiers on a firm frontier

To the harvest, our souls we deny 

For forever and a year

Because we are made of blood and bone

But we have souls of solid stone

We will fight the cursed unknown

We're claiming our life's throne

We swear to be here tomorrow's dawn

to hold our loved, to keep them blind. 

They still think we've brain and brawn

So I'm only frantic in my mind

Because I am nothing but blood and bone

And the Reaper cracks souls of stone

I fear that cursed unknown

Death has its own dark throne

When Death comes riding by

We'll hold back those tears

We'll avoid its dead, cold eye

We'll beg to stay here

Death collects his debt

Our lives have a cost 

"Do not to be so upset 

You only borrow time"  

Reviews

[lakki]

Nice try! What I didn't get is the use of the word riding in accordance with death. Could you clear it out, please?

[D.L]

Often in popular culture, Death is seen riding a horse. This is mostly because of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," a story in the New Testament. One of the horsemen is Death; the others, Famine, War and some living guy. There's a classic painting by Gustave Doré called "Death on a Pale Horse" of this image. See also music like Johnny Cash's "When The Man Comes Around." I can't think of any others on the top of my head. :/ Just to note though, this isn't a religious poem. I am not religious myself. I just borrowed the image.

[lakki]

Wow! There is a whole story behind! I'm glad I asked :) because it has changed my vision towards your poem. Thank you for both, this inspiring piece and the information.

[D.L]

Thanks. Glad I could clear things up. :)