Time Of Death

We ignore it but it waits,
as the clock ticks
and the hourglass pours,
we continue feigning ignorance.

I have seen this cold hand caress
the young and old. Invitations are
sent on occasion, scripted on fine paper,
RSVPs are just futile redundancy.

We know but we don't know -
so we discount the chill
that creeps up our spine
hugging ourselves warm.

But somewhere your name and mine are
written, perhaps in those stars
beloved by bards and lovers,
and beneath them are stamped small numbers.

Sometimes the numerals are too far away to see
other times they sit by our bedside, close and waiting,
I would rather not see mine, but leave it to the person who
is charged with witnessing my last breath and scripting  my official time of death.

Reviews

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

A dark and chilling reality, and so true. A brilliantly executed write.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Sharon,
Your comment is much appreciated.

[Brittany Zedalis]

This is dark but true. So many people decide to ignore the reality of death.

[icelandicblue]

We are born into it some of us think of it not at all and others...probably think of it too much. Thank you so much, nice to meet you.

[Joyce S. Greene]

I'm with you, Anne. When the time comes, it comes, and there's not one thing you or I can do about it. Living is the thing to concern ourselves with, it's really the only thing we have any control over at all - and that is very limited! As usual, your poetry is thoughtful and very well written.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Joyce, I always appreciate your visits.

[Rachelle]

Our stay here is momentary, a moment to make the best of what we have and how we can better the world.

[icelandicblue]

So very true, thank you.

[joshua deathdealer]

The not knowing what lies after death is a touchy subject. I like to think of Death as an angel, coming to take us beyond the stars. Again beautiful work.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.

[kublakhan27]

I suppose the only thing that keeps me semi-ignorant of my own mortality is the time I've spent mourning those who have already gone. It's also the sentiment that I took from this work. You've laid it out with much thoughtfulness and introspection, and produced a piece that I related to deeply. Well done my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, and it is so true when you deal with death around you you don't often give thought to your own mortality and maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.

[Baby Ricochet]

I've seen more than enough death for this life time thank you. When I croak I just hope the possums eat me

[icelandicblue]

I hear you, you are the exception to this ignoring death thing. You lived it. Thanks for writing BR- Honestly I thought you might just skip this one. I think about death more than I should and I've never been in a war zone.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Well death is the one certain in a world that is far too temporary.We have to treat our moments as precious for it could be our last.Nicely penned:)

[icelandicblue]

So very true...thank you for reading Vidya.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome :)

[Ruth]

The one thing certain in our lives...you have moved me...guess we have to make each damn moment count ey? I have feared death all my life and when I think on it, perhaps it is the reverse, I have feared living in order to not face death...

Poignant piece love x

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Poppy- it is a conundrum for many of us. We don't want to waste our lives thinking about it but we don't want to avoid living simply to put him off. I like your insight very much.

[Ruth]

I agree hon...it is something I have thought on a lot lol Maybe we are not as tuned into death as we should be...our culture seems to fear everything and not see the light in it...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sombre but well portrayed piece on the choices we face in our thinking on our own mortality.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you John I appreciate you reading and commenting.