Grim Reaper.

Pure fiction

The Grim Reaper.

I awoke with a fright, it was the middle of the night, I’m not a heavy sleeper
I shook my head, for at the foot of my bed I could see the old Grim Reaper
“It can’t be my time, I’m feeling quite fine” I hollered at him in alarm
The Grim Reaper replied “That’s for me to decide, I don’t mean you any harm”

“If that is the case then look me in the face and tell me I’ve nothing to fear,
If it’s not a collection then what’s the connection, what are you doing here?”
“Relax my friend, this isn’t the end” said the Reaper controlling his laughter,
“You are not on my list, now do you get the gist? You’re not the one I am after”

I let my relief show as he said “You would know if I’d come to get you tonight
I’ll give you a clue, I’m visible to you, when I’m collecting I keep out of sight”
It seems that’s a fact, for the Grim Reaper to act he must not give his victim a view
So if you see him appear you have nothing to fear it means he is not after you.

He laid down his scythe and said “As you’re alive, there’s a technical hitch that I have
I’ve people to reap, preferably while they’re asleep but I’ve a problem with my Sat-Nav.
This was hard to conceive, was I to believe that the Reaper used a navigational aid
He said “It’s been a terrible day, I keep losing my way my confidence is beginning to fade


I eventually fixed the device and offered advice but I insisted that on him lay the onus
And said “To be kind perhaps you would be inclined as a thank-you grant me a bonus?”
He quickly agreed and asked me “What do you need?” I replied “Maybe another ten years”
Then he said “Get some sleep, it’s a promise I’ll keep and I trust that’ll allay all your fears.


Here’s to the Grim Reaper, I’ve been a much better sleeper for the past nine and a half years
But time is streaking away and I’m sorry to say that his bonus has reduced me to tears
The truth is my friend it’s better to be unaware of the end, nothing should be so implicit
I lay awake every night praying that I’ll be granted a sight of the Reaper on his final visit.

Rod Broomham ©


© matelotrod - all rights reserved

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

At least it seems the Reaper is a reasonable... angel? As I know nothing about sat nav instruments, I'll have to hope he rides a motorcycle. (I could fix one of those) I like your less than serious treatment of this usually very serious subject. It takes skill to work out all the great rhymes you used in telling this.

[peter Duggan]

This is a great lighthearted poem on the fear of death. So many things in this world are caused by the fear of death. When one has looked into his or her soul the fear of death never enters a life. I see everything going around in circles and realize that birth and death are all part of the same circle so death is not to be feared at all. I enjoyed both parts of this poem, Rod. Thank you for sharing....peter

[Natasha Zoya]

I laughed that Death got lost because he followed the GPS wrong!

[i am LiLy]

I'm not a fan of modern day references in poetry (ie the sat nav thing)
but this is one of my favourite poems in a while........I love the explanation of the whole tale in the last verse.....it's so true and rings home to me how I live each day with fear and illness.....everyday I think is it going to be today...and sometimes I want to know but maybe you are right.....maybe it's better not to know.
I love this poem ....brilliant read....thank you.

[matelotrod]

Written in humour some time ago, don't worry about a visit because,as he told me, you wont see him if you are on his collecting list! I am pushing eighty now so I'm expecting him to give me a call soon. Thanks for your review and take care. Rod.

[i am LiLy]

just a sub note.......I even told my wife about this poem and the emotional content it stired up in me.......it really made me think about my feelings on the subject.....I have also asked 2 other people close to me to read it.......it's really hit a chord with me..
thank you....I enjoy the thought process you put me into.
amazing work my friend.