Not Yet Damascus

Death

35 DEATH (For Eugene Yande Ndefru, Geologist and teacher extraordinaire) I If only you would know Who to visit, If only you would know when to visit, If only you would know How to visit …. Never such a visitor Have I encountered, Who thinks only of herself, Choosing when to visit An un-expecting, an unsuspecting Friend or foe. This visitor who determines What she will eat before Visiting her hosts. And you eat to your full, Usually a heavy blow To your host’s budget – Spiritually and materially. And without shame you leave, Without a “thank you,” but With a promise to return, As if you brought silver and gold The first time. It is this attitude of yours That I hate, This guts of yours that disgusts me. A coward indeed you are, 36 Or sure you are of your hideous looks, else Show us your face if we Shall not envy, egotism, and Ingratitude find written all over. Yet I know you, Only a messenger taking liberties As to how your message to deliver. Yet beware of me For your Master I serve! II I have said Death is envious But people say no; Even grey strands too, But their “no” is sibling to a sad smile. They know what I say is true But are afraid of Death to accept. Yet there is proof it started From the beginning. If not envy Then mere viciousness it is, Else tell me how a chameleon A race with dog will win? Who put the distraction in The path of dog if not Death So the slow chameleon Its message will drum? Even then, ever since then It has eaten and eaten and is eating. Even God got tired on Saturday Why does not death? I say Death is envious And people say no. 37 Who has not heard a parent Who has not heard a spouse Offering himself in place of death’s Choice? Has death ever to such Pleas listened? Tell me the day Death has Changed its mind permanently. No! Death is jealous of us. III This Death! How like a coward you inch in, Like a thief looking left and right, Methodically you bide your time Savoring the spurting saliva As you your next meal relish. With culinary methodology You broil with this ailment, And then lace with that. Like the king of animals In a hunting spree You crouch, stealthily approaching As the seconds tick by; With selfish relish You stalk your battered prey Now you claw and then release As screams cut through the air Then you claw more deeply yet release Whetting your appetite. Then suddenly you leap, Claws protruding, With snarling fangs 38 At once all buried In the diseased-battered body; On your prey you lie panting, Once more victorious As life is squeezed out of Yet another victim. This Death! This Death! ...