A SAD, LONELY FIGURE

Inspired by movie, "The Book Thief"

A SAD, LONELY FIGURE

 

 

he liked to watch children playing

their laughter intrigued him

their souls were always so very light

he liked to watch couples walking in the park holding hands, gazing deeply into one another’s eyes, talking quietly together

he felt lonely

he wondered what it would be like to be alive

he passed his days as an eavesdropper on the lives of those he watched

he didn’t understand why people seemed to dread his coming so much

didn’t they realize that no one can live forever

he longed for his being to stop existing

but it didn’t work that way

the universe was set up to need his services

so for time eternal he would continue on his journey of seeking out those whose souls he must release to that other world

a slight touch of his cold hand and another soul would float away

he walked on, pulling his hood forward, bracing himself against the cold wind

he didn’t feel the cold, only its pressure against his frame

he had been warned not to feel

but watching the light go out of so many people had taken a toll

he didn’t really understand life

but he had come to appreciate what he did understand of it so very much

he walked on, a sad, lonely figure

 

 

3/31/14

Author's Note

Thoughtful, honest reviews requested.

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

Another interesting look from Death's perspective.

NOTES: I recommend breaking the longer lines and setting this one out in stanzas. Poetry doesn't have to rhyme or be set in strictly defined meter. I do think it helps poetic flow if you strive for a balanced meter; the point is to give the piece a flow that the reader can find and will drive them with the stresses you hear when you set down your lines. It also give more impact to the denouement if your can craft a meter that will drive the reader to the end of the piece.