Were Death To Come

Were Death to come and meet me
I would put my hands in his,
and leave out all my questions-
for what was no longer is.

Were Death to come and meet me
I might caress his face,
and wonder if he were lonely
not owning time or place.

Were Death to come and meet me
I would heave a heavy sigh,
for no matter what life's misery
I'm not sure I want to die.

Were Death to come and meet me
I would not say his name
but pray that his arrival
would be wrought with little pain

But Death has come to meet me
he awaits my final kiss,
now I promise, I promise,
I promise, not to miss.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow i am so glad this found its way back to the front page....i missed this the fisrt time.

this reminds me so much of Emily Dickinson's "because i could not stop for death"

making death out to be more of a gentleman caller than the grim reaper...more like a date...

and you wrote such a beautiful allegory here...

to touch his face, caress, kiss...ah yes.
in sensual terms...speaking of the meeting.

[.]

-- i think this is the first poem i've read about "death" on this site which doesn't express fear... -- and i think it's particularly perceptive of you to write about how "death" might be "lonely" because of "not owning time or place"... -- excellent stuff... -- a very unique take...

[therisa]

Have always thought of Death, being female, not sure, why, but I do. Being the soul, who offers the final kiss of mercy, taking away, my pain and sorrow. Maybe, it's my poetic soul speaking, to a world that grown harsh, to life's little mercies, which make it liveable.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading one of my original poems here therisa.

[therisa]

Your welcome, Icelandicblue. Always thought, you have been writing on the WC, for longer than you have.

[icelandicblue]

No, two years this December. It took me a while to find just the right place.

[therisa]

Am glad, you found it, here.

[Clockwork]

I really enjoyed your take on death in this poem. Instead of characterizing death with typical grim reaper imagery, you really humanize death. The images about the speaker caressing his face did a particularly good job of reversing the traditional imagery.

I also really liked that the speaker eases into acceptance in this poem. She starts off with appreciation about leaving the only world she has every know, the world she treasures, which you describe so well in the third stanza. The journey between that stanza to the closure of the last stanza is truly captivating.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Clockwork. I appreciate it. It's good to see you.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Anne, phenomenal write. Absolutely beloved. A new favorite. I love the refrain throughout this piece. You are an incredibly gifted writer. Your pieces just knock my socks off. Thank you! :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading and commenting on this. Your enthusiasm for the piece is really appreciated.

[Alfred Kukitz]

Courageous writing for a young lady who shows that if fears exists it is not in her soul.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[Pryde Foltz]

Were Death to come and meet me
I would heave a heavy sigh,
for no matter what life's misery
I'm not sure I want to die.

Spot on verse work, Icyblue.

[icelandicblue]

My very first post here! Thank you for digging this one up. Thanks so much Pryde.

[Pryde Foltz]

I've been rummaging as of late … nice to see a poets earlier work:)

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poem. I have a series of books based in the incarnations written by Pier Anthony. A complete tale of death life. The poem reminded me of his books. They are very good. I like how you would welcome death without fear and accept the journey. We should. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Coyote. The journey brings us to him eventually. It is something we all share.

[A. Amos]

Deep and profound piece of art, i like poetry on fiction and nothing is more honest than death...simply brilliant...

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Amos.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome my friend

[Lyn Anderson]

I went back to the beginning, and plucked this one. This is an exceptionally beautiful personification of Death, and should be foreboding, but mostly, it's not. A really original piece, rooted in the thoughts of millions of poets around the world. Fantastic.

[icelandicblue]

Now you are spoiling me. The first review I got on this site wasn't great and I wondered if I had stumbled into the wrong place but it's been a great experience here on WC. Thanks for reading some of my old ones. I enjoy visiting them with you.

[Lyn Anderson]

Ahh, I believe once I like someone's stuff, I try to go back and troll around at the beginning. I did it with a few people -- Frieda and I are tough to peruse the beginning, we have a lot of stuff in a short time. But I do enjoy the journey.