The Reaper

A meditation on death

The dread of The Reaper

Grows flush with the years,

*

Until it surpasses all

Avoidable fears.

*

Would it not be ironic,

When we come to that place,

*

If he's only a doorman

With a smile on his face?

Author's Note

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so.
John Donne

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

We'll all come to that knowledge eventually but as Tom Petty famously wrote, "the waiting is the hardest part". Dying is easy. Living is tough. But living is worth the effort of love. I enjoyed your write, John. Also, love John Donne and his poetry. Some of it is rather bawdy and risque reminding us that even the famous Dean of St. Paul's was only human, the same as everyone else. My favorite poem on death was one written at death's door by Emily Bronte "No Coward Soul is Mine".

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, FG. I will take a look at the Bronte poem.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I was also reminded of Jimmy Carter and a story he told about being swept over by a rogue wave when he was in the navy. The wave picked him up, covering the entire ship and he had to swim. But when the wave receded he found he was still on ship and clung to the five inch gun for safety. But Carter said after that experience he has had no fear of death. And he's still here after a century. We never know when our time is but life is for the living of it I believe. Maybe earth is an engine that helps power the universe or and life, its fuel; being constantly replenished by the rise and fall of civilizations. And perhaps there are other engines of life in other parts of the universe. I like to think so. Blessings of peace and light from chilly Carolina.

[John Prophet]

This put a smile on my face.
Nice work!

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, John. Maybe The Reaper's just gotten bad press.

[Ken Simm.]

I die in hope. Excellent wit.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Ken. Death is a natural process, and therefore not to be feared.

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. You bring this to life, pardon the pun.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Thomas. Like birth, death is something we all have in common. Can't be but so bad.

[Grant]

You’ve been writing quite a bit about death lately. Love it. Hope you’re doing well.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Didn't realize I was dwelling on it.

[Marina]

I think acceptance comes when we make peace with the inevitability of death. It’s more the fear of what we are leaving behind that becomes the reason for our angst.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Yes, it's just nature's way of telling you to slow down.

[Stella Armour]

Hello John,i think we are more acceptant of of death as we grow nearer to it.
Just to hope we have a calm and easy passing towards the beyondness.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Stella. My father had a cardiac arrest in his sleep. There are worse ways to go.

[Marie]

I love your quote from the wonderful Mystic John Donne, dear J. B... Death is only a door which opens for us so we can return home to Spirit whence we came from. I don't know if many people fear death, I think most fear how they will die, nobody wants an agonising death or to linger on in pain. People don't realise how easy it is to leave one's body, totally pain free experience, it's just like floating away and is actually a very beautiful experience. A thought provoking write, dear J. B... Profound inking! Thank you for sharing...

[John the Baptist]

I'd like to have a near death experience, minus the trauma part, of course. Call it a test drive.

[Marie]

It is a very beautiful experience, dear J. B... The trauma doesn't come into it. It's happening but it's not part of the experience. Not easy to describe, but there's complete detachment, like being wrapped in a beautiful blanket of peace!
Enjoy a very wonderful day, dear J. B...

[Lorry]

I shall not dear the reaper. I only hope that I can collect my pipe and slippers first and shall try my best not to greet him with "and what took you so bloody long?"
😃

[John the Baptist]

Don't worry about that last part. I'm sure he's been greeted with worse. Just don't make fun of his hoodie.

[Lorry]

😃 😊 😀 😄 😁 😆 😃