Inspired in part by Satyricon
Once I thought Death came to take me
When I peered far too long into the void
I thought the carriage had come, all ornate
Death approached—so gentlemanly, so ladylike
They asked one question and one alone:
I said: "If—only if… At the dying of the sun: only if..."
It was an odd and knowing look that Death gave
Like the one I gave back, as I walked along with them
In the forest, on the mountains, into the shadows
It was from the old part of my memory that Death
Came for me; came from the old, forgotten North of me
From my anxiety and my hesitancy and fear
Death came for me, knowing the worst of me
Not knowing who I really was–the shell of what
Should have been my life, or the semblance of it of me
That was a dream, a nightmare, the dread
Of me; all that I do not want to feel or be or accept
Because I know my Sun dawns every day for me
But even should Death take me—though they take me
The mark I will leave, now, hereupon me
Made by me—me— the very best that built for me
Even though Death will take me
I’ve thrashed and dashed and mashed
Along the drear-draped path
And made as much
And as big of a burst as I could
Of me–and me—and the bits that will be left
Of me.
M.M.
