The Silent Specter

The Grim Reaper comes for a visit

             THE SILENT SPECTER

          By R. A. Merritt

He knew not when it arrived and trespassed upon his door

And though it never spoke to him he knew what it came for

He knew why that callous countenance came upon this place

He knew, he knew for certain he could see it in his face

He knew this sallow specter whose odor smelled of the grave

He knew it came for him and felt compelled to rave

He demanded it go and leave him here at peace

Go 'er to the north or south or yonder to the east

But it never spoke a word to him just lingered there close by

And the silence was the thing that he most of all despised

Speak to me he demanded, speak to me somber specter

Why do you remain and me in this silence hector

Why do you remain why do me you do taunt

Why have you come to me and in this time to haunt

It wasn't that it was mute nor could not hear what he had to say

And he knew that for certain in the end it would have its way

Are you the guide man he asked, the ferryman for the doomed

Is that your duty specter the guide man to the tomb

And at last it smiled at him a perverse and toothy grin

And spoke to him at last, spoke as if a friend

What need are your questions it's plain to me to see

You know I came for you to carry you along with me

I've come to be the witness and upon your final breath

To take you down below to carry you down to death

You shouldn't be distressed nor fix on as you do

It comes to one and all when their time here be through

Don't be as the drunken poet don't fill yourself with strife

Come with me in peace into that long goodnight

Come with me in peace there be no Heaven or Hell

No god above the clouds or nether region to dwell

Death it be a comfort death is my gift to you

Be grateful that's its over be grateful that it is through

You should embrace it, embrace it for what its worth

Be glad that its at last over your time here on Earth

And so he took his hand and left this place at last

And all there was, was darkness, and everything was past

And death at last embraced him, embraced him as a wife

And led him from this place, this wretched thing this life

Author's Note

Being seriously ill with heart trouble and also afflicted with early onset Parkinson's I am all too cognizant that my days are numbered. I don't dwell on it if that might be your impression from this poem, but merely aware said specter no doubt hovers close nearby.

Reviews

[Brandon Shields]

Beautifully written, I adore the theme of this verse. It couldn't be more clear than this. The rhyme scheme was also masterful. This poem definitely has a good meter and rhythm with a theme and meaning to back it up.

[R. A. Merritt]

Brandon thank you very much for your critique of this poem. I tried to capture the sorrow and inevitability of what is headed every person's way and the terror it often causes. Again thanks a million for your appreciation of it.

R. A. Merritt