© 2019 Barbara Grace Lake
Relentless, irrevocably
Death calls for one and then the next
In time it comes with hand stretched out
No bargaining, its summons law
Still often age will welcome it
I hope I can in my last hours
Ask death to sit and share with me
A final savored cup of tea
Relentless, irrevocably
Death ever comes when it is time
The poor, or rich, or elderly
An elder cousin called to go
In grief, the “eldest” left to me
And yet till death I’ll see her face
In endless, happy hours we shared
Those days when we were very young.
Relentless, irrevocably
As life is spent so death must come
This one you called was dear to us
And we will miss her dreadfully
Please God, as she was one of yours,
Make room for her among the stars
Her soul will brightly light the sky
Until we join eternally
January 10, 2019 at 2:52 am
This poem is quite something! So many layers to it, evoking a plethora of emotions. Parts of it made me cry, while other lines were a bit eerie… yet so true. Death comes to us all.
I loved that you asked death to sit and have tea with you. I think that is something I might do as well. The image it conjured up made me chuckle and took all the fear away from dying. Thank you for that. When my time comes your imagery of having a cup of tea with the grim reaper will bring a smile to my face and make that transition easier.
I’m sorry if you lost someone dear to you. It seems that the older we get the more friends and loved ones we lose. At family gatherings I am now the oldest one and it seems odd to me.I didn’t think I would be the matriarch of the family so soon. I wasn’t prepared for this role… I am much to young for it. But then Death doesn’t ask for one’s ID card.
Barbara Grace, you really have magical way of putting just the right words together!
LikeLiked by 4 people
January 10, 2019 at 2:55 am
Thank you so much, dear friend, for reading and understanding what I was trying to say. I appreciate you.
LikeLike
January 10, 2019 at 3:06 am
May you be comforted in your loss, Barbara ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 10, 2019 at 3:59 am
Thank you so much, dear friend. It means much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 10, 2019 at 3:16 am
Wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm
I know what you mean about welcoming death as one grows older…
When I was young, I feared it, but now I see it as going home. I’m ready anytime. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 10, 2019 at 6:11 pm
That you for reading and understanding my poem. I appreciate you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
January 10, 2019 at 10:41 pm
My pleasure reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
January 11, 2019 at 7:07 pm
A sad poem about leaving this world, but we will all leave. These are the laws of nature.
Best wishes
LikeLiked by 2 people