Thoughts on Death 2

Bring me the easy death
that stalks the night
and in some gentle dream
slips scythe between one heart-sigh and the last
and whispers "Cease".

Bring me the chilling death
that comes like sleep, but wrapped in ice and snow.
Bring me convenient death
that suits another's need, or whim, or greed.

Bring me the angry death
that in a moment
grips the heart in furious fist
and in a glorious blaze of agonising pain
blows out the light.

Bring me the sudden death
that drives the wheel of accident, mishap or chance.
Bring me the poisoned death
that after wasting flesh comes as release.
Bring me the chosen death
that asks not if, but how and when.

Bring any one of these to me
but bring not this - the cruel death
that day by day unwinds the mind
and steals another random memory or trait;
that week by week runs back the clock
and all things learned unlearned again;
that month by month by season, years
rubs out routines, old habits, friends;
that one by one turns pages written in the book of life
and leaves those pages torn out, crumpled, shredded, gone
so when death comes
the carcass that remains
can't even recognise the kindly face
of saviour, Brother Death.

October 2002