Death's memento mori

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw today

Death's memento mori

he laughed at me, with

a grinning decay.

His shadowed hands,

eclipsing my verve.

I began to drift,

to see the unheard.

 

My vital force           

displace in his world

I awoke................

And I stood to behold,

Death's wealthy estate.

Material goods,

and souls without fate.

All of this merchandised

and scattered out straight.

 

Then suddenly.........

 

He gave out a SHOUT!

 

"Choose" he said.

"But choose wisely!"

 

He began

to showcase before me

an interesting meal

hot off an offering plate.

A devil's pact, seasoned

with silver and gold,

representing the covenant,

waiting to be sold.

 

And this is what I saw:

 

A tree of life

demoralized

sprouting with fear.

 

My daughter of eight

as a replacement

for one more year.

 

A return to earth

as a paralytic

mute

and deaf in the ear.

 

Death seemed annoyed

as I turned in disgust.

My eyes slowly drew over

to a carpenter's cup,

covered in time

covered in dust.

 

"Give that to me, " I cried.

 

"I need to drink it!"

 

"I must! "

 

Death showed me the cup.

Inside I saw

the holy grail,

filled with a sweet elixir.

 

I could see the sacrificial lamb

I could see the fountain of life.

 

Death said,

 

"It's too late to drink from this cup."

 

He grabbed it away.................

 

"Pick your plate."

 

"You had your chance!"

 

"You're mine now!"

 

"Wake up!"

 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, it is ironic...we can claim a disbelief in a supreme being...in heaven and hell...but as death draws nearer...even as we age and see the possibility of our mortality..

there comes this fear we cannot always explain..but we know what it is don't we.

this is a terrific write..a terrific battle between good and evil...and between belief and atheism.

jacob

[Muse]

Wanna hear something ironic? A talented writer by the name of Rick Puetter helped me rewrite this, and he has told me on more than one occasion...that he is athiest. And it was he...that dared me to push the envelope.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you pushed it, stamped it and sent it...

that is interesting...

[Muse]

it shows that Rick has character.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, it does.

[Muse]

he's not on my friend's list anymore...his intellegence, way over my head. But..I respect him.

[nevermindfan1991]

Incredible piece of work. It was ominous, dark, complex and beautifully written. I read it out loud and swear it gave me goosebumps! This is one of my favorites so far. Great Job!

[brenda]

like this very much nice imagery !:) awesome poem !:)

[An owl on the moon]

You stun with your imagery and voice... This slides deep into the subconscious and rocks one into that deep set nightmarish shadowplace.

[joshua deathdealer]

This is crazy good. Honestly amazing work. I enjoyed the hell out of it.

[Trixx_Gnzlz]

felt chills up my spine... interesting description, makes my mind drift off

[L]

punchline! nice piece

[silentpoet]

that was truly wonderful, my first word was WOW!

[Lily Mae]

Excellent dark and intriguing write.. I love it.. xx

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

Very dark and eerie. I could see every deplicted image and feel the warmth and cold chillls of this nightmare.
What a story~
brilliant job~

[Becky C Strukamp]

WOW is right. Spooky and dark, and penned to perfection.