Death Flirted With Me Today

Death flirted with me today

He looked my way

And winked

It gave me pause to think

And to wonder, “why the fear?

Why the tears?”

He smiled and looked kindly

So many have followed blindly

He bade me step in line

But I would not march this time.

Death was there

Not that I care

That he comes.

He’s a part of life, 

A welcome neighbor

A friendly stranger, 

Yet not always without danger

And come he must

You know, from dust to dust

It’s all a matter of time

But I didn’t get in line.

Death swung his sickle

And the harvest fell

Of what he reaps not all

End up in hell.

I watched the sickle start

And make its wide arc

As he reaped a broad swath

But I stayed to the side

He laughed as I cried

And a pain filled my heart

He beckoned me his way

But I would not take part

Not today.

May 1994