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

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I know it's there, but I refuse to live my life worrying about death. Whatever will be, will be; and when it comes, I'll go. Such is life. I guess "live like there's no tomorrow" is the best way to put it.

Great job.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Linda-living like there's no tomorrow- feels so free. I just figure we just don't know so do something worthwhile with whatever time you've got. I appreciate the read and the response.

[Lydia Shutter]

Better for us not to know when the time will come.....no one gets out of this life alive so it will happen. Powerfully emotional words.

[icelandicblue]

No truer words...no one get out of this life alive. Thanks Lydi.

[Scott Metro]

It looms...I guess I'll just let the mystery be.
Very nice write...

Enjoyed it.
Scott

[icelandicblue]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for reading and posting.

[Scott Metro]

:)
S......

[redflutterby]

This is so profound and sad Anne...its made me think as well. We just dont know when and thats why we should live each day without regret. I find that each passing year reminds me more of how short life is. x

[icelandicblue]

it's short, so short, I just got news about my son's friend who is in his 20s and it's not good. We should count our blessings more but it seems I'm caught in counting time of death these days, I seem to have experienced a lot of it lately. Thanks.

[redflutterby]

I know I dont have to say how significant this is for me today...I felt the need to come back and read this again. You are in my prayers as I know I'm in yours. You are truly welcome. May we both have a little less grief in our lives. Hugs...

[icelandicblue]

Just know that I am thinking of you. Take care of yourself. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Facing our own mortality, is the underlying influence to so many of our actions.
"So we discount the chill
That creeps up our spine
Hugging ourselves warm"... incredible lines, they embodied the meaning of this wonderful piece for me. Great work here.

[icelandicblue]

thanks so much PH- we face it the best we can, then we live.

[Pryde Foltz]

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.

You bring up an interesting philosophical question. Would you want to know. I think I would … but then I am led to the old adage about living every day like it is your last … which when you think about it … is awful advice;)

[icelandicblue]

I don't think the sentiment is awful, it's just what you might do with it to then only regret it when you find out tomorrow came. So I shall remain ignorant as long as I can. Thanks for reading Pryde.

[David Scott]

This write addresses the idea of destiny.
I agree we tend to ignore the signs and refuse to accept the inevitability of death. Yet maybe it is ok as long as we do not ignore the wonders of life...
You focused the mind and the heart well on this topic.
A great write blue!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks David,

We have a beginning and an end, it's what we do with the middle that counts. Thanks again.

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

We will never know when our time runs out. We just have to enjoy it while it lasts. Love this poem.

Kaze~

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, love your new avatar.

[♔ CrownedDevil ☾]

Your welcome. And thank you. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we never know when...lives are short, lives are long...but either way we get no invitation in the mail...we don't get a chance to say we will attend or we are too busy...it just happens...the sand runs out...

love this, Anne...and especially the second stanza...

jacob

[icelandicblue]

Thanks jacob- that means a lot coming from you.

[Tom]

From once shining stars we were birthed and to their ever present luminosity shall we return !

Ironic as it may be, but quite often the most creative writing comes when we are in the darkest corner, and this is a splendidly absorbing write indeed !

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Tom, and very perceptive of you. It is both dark and cold in this corner. Thank you.