Simply Poetry

Death Beckoned

There was a time I feared death
  and
There was a time I found it
  calling my name

"Come hither," it spoke,
  "and see what I show -
    the grandest wonders
      that you will adore.

Darkness is your fate
  black times for a man
    who shuns light and day.

Come hither, so
  you can worry
    your soul no more."

The words rang in my head.
They screamed, pleaded, and begged.
The words consumed my thoughts -
Rose my body from bed.
Death allured, and I longed
To put my soul to rest.

The muscles in my arms
Were no longer my own -
Rose of their own accord.
The legs beneath me am-
  bled to the kitchen door.

A creaking swing sounded
  as from an ancient trove.
My hands found the wooden
  block atop the cold stone.
Metal slipped from casket,
And Death - it spoke once more:

"Come hither, child," it asked
  and it pleaded and begged,
"Into my cold embrace,
  let me enshroud always
  within this placid cloak
  and ease all the tensions
  of your most weary woes.

Come hither and be free
  of the light you don't see,
  for it shines much too bright
  above the solid floor.
Come hither, and rest your
  tired head against the door.
I will guide your hand and
  flay open skin to bone."

My fingers tightened.
I saw the likeness
of my nose mirrored
and the metal shimmer.

My shoulders flexed.
I watched the steel
float past my head
as prayers spilled.

My back wracked with spasms.
My neck twitched in wild pitch.

A single tear released
  from my eye
  and cast my vision in-
    to a daze.
Then the liquid flurry
  emerged and
  fell like a torrent up-
    on my face.

My arm felt sore
As it hovered above the other -
A target marked
Waiting for the final drill to bore,
My cries stifled
To avoid causing any uproar.
I clenched my fists,
Touched cold steel to flesh,
  closed eyes once more

And Death Beckoned
"Come hither, poor, poor soul.
There is naught left for you
On this bright, sun-cursed world.
Come hither, and let me
Silence the screams that roar
  in your head.
                           Close your eyes
And open them no more."

The metal had become warm,
Liquid along its blade flowed -
A volley of tears,
Yet no blood was shown.

But Death Beckoned

"Come hither, useless troll.
Come to me and let go.
Come hither, bastard dolt!
Come to me; cry no more!
Come hither, fucked asshole!
Come hither. Die alone!"

Darkness swept over me.
  Death pushed against my arm.
    My fingers tightened, and
      Head spun in high alarm.

And Life Beckoned

"Dear child,
Stay for a while."

Tears made me go blind.
I no longer stifled my cries.
My legs slipped, and I
  fell to the floor - metal in hand,
  still waiting for the drill to bore.

And Death beckoned, "Come hither,
Awful wretch to be deplored.
Come hither.
Come hither, and die alone."

Yet Life beckoned, "Dear child,
Show me a bright white smile.
Toss the dark knife aside,
And open your eyes wide.
Let me show you the light."

And Death Beckoned, "Come hither,
Do not turn this into war.
Come hither, and die alone."

Yet Life Beckoned

"Dear child, I have plans for you if only you would let me try.
Dear child, stay a while; let me guide your steps for many more miles.
Dear child, why don't you just show me a smile?"

And I Laughed
I laughed a manic laugh.
I opened my eyes and laughed.
I laughed as I tightened my fingers on the shaft,
And I laughed as I tossed the knife far from my hands.
I laughed as I took it back,
And I laughed as I tacked
  my eyes closed.

And Death beckoned even more.
And Life beckoned right back.
And Death. And life and death.

I took a breath and stood up -
Wiped my eyes -
Returned the knife to its cup.

And yet Death beckoned, "Come
  hither and die alone,"
But I listened no more.