During the early hours of eventide, in the season of winter,

The last leaf that was tethered to a bough in vain did wither,

My wizened face having witnessed all the vicissitudes of life had lost its vigor,

Having embraced transience, I knew the profound truth that nothing lasts forever,

 

With bated breaths I yearned for a peaceful departure –to my final destination,

Prepared to leave the mortal world sans trepidation,

My soul sought to witness the realm unknown,

Detaching myself from the body for which others would mourn.

 

Finally my prayers reached the spangled firmament,

With a thunderous applause my world came to a stop–death was imminent,

The life that I’d led played in rotating frames for one last time,

‘Twas such a feeling sublime.

 

My eyes closed and off I went into a deep slumber,

My formless soul departed crossing the divine frontier,

Galaxies several I traversed at the speed of light,

Mind boggling parallel worlds I witnessed- what a spectacular sight!

 

At last I stepped into a world monochrome,

Light years away from my home,

The surreal place boomed with deafening noises of cacophony,

Caged were some souls–their pleas were filled with melancholy.

 

But amidst all the commotion I saw a ghostly figure in black robe sitting in somber silence,

Intrigued, I walked towards her bridging the distance,

Death personified –would be the term to describe her,

With skulls that lay scattered, she sat beside a sepulcher.

 

I initiated a conversation after much deliberation,

“Who are you? Why do you sit in isolation?

What is troubling you dear friend, you can confide in me,

Having led a fruitful life, I can offer some insights you see.”

 

She looked at me and stifled a smile for moments few,

And then in a grim voice her monologues did ensue,

“I’m Death –I’ve ruled hell since time immemorial,

But the ordeals I undergo to others is incomprehensible,

Taking into account the sins that the mortals commit,

I punish them unapologetically damning them to bottomless pits,

In this Dante’s world pain seems to be the only common thread,

Ruthless rules for the prisoners–they are far from dead,

My mind screams yet I perform my duties with diligence,

I follow the higher orders sans negligence,

No soul can I befriend, happiness is long lost,

There’s no bright future for me, neither was there a flowery past,

You are just on transit, you’ll soon ascend to heaven,

While you rejoice there, I’ll endlessly live with souls broken,

Go ahead, ask me questions no more,

I don’t require your empathy, you may enter the flashing heaven’s door.”

 

Her words tugged at my heartstrings and tears trickled down my eyes slowly,

My muted lips now parted and I spoke to her gently,

“ I have never imagined the ordeals you undergo,

A different perspective of you I have come to know,

The gruesome world has indeed been unkind to you,

It must be torturous to live here without a friend true,

I shall live here as long as you wish for,

Stitching memories fond before I exit from the door,

You have never failed your duties, I will make the gods understand,

Your duties shall be transferred soon, you deserve a brighter land.”

 

Tears of joy tricked down her eyes and she rested her head against my bosom,

The emotions that seeped in I failed to fathom,

Words of kindness was all she need to hear,

I felt elated to have made Death herself a friend dear.

 

***

This poem was written for the prompt ” The Last Conversation with Death” by Chrysanthemum Chronicles.