The death said
By Naomi McPeters
The death said: I will win
No one will hear the screams come again
Silenced forever a cold dark paw
Clamped over my mouth
Shut the door--no one's listening
There's no one here but me
Here the tears flow free
Death said: they will drown you
Water rushing, foaming
Covering my screaming mouth
No sound
Shut your mouth--no one's listening
The death said: this face isn't yours anymore
This faith has no life anymore
Church bells ringing
Choirs singing
The death said: break those harp strings
Of melody
No one's listening
The notes that played as they lowered her into the grave
Were there for the realm between dirt and Heaven
No good
Except to the living
I didn't make the rain
But it poured out anyway
The death said: God is here
He is defeated
See His hands tied my chains strangling Him
Look at Him
Shut your heart
He isn't listening
No one wants to hear your grief cry
Like rocks pelting against tin
Like a hare's screech as the hawk swallows him
No one wants to hear the rattling of your bones as they shake
In sorrow
No one wants to hear
They will only hate you for making them listen.
The death said: there is no one else here.
I am listening.