Death

at once of two worlds-
straddling the razor’s edge
between life and death
–
winter sun-
the hawk’s shadow
grows smaller

in the dead of night
the monster under my bed
turns out to be me
–
skeletal branches-
the window framing
unfounded fears

I close my eyes and
before sleep overtakes me
I pray for those I’ve killed
–
fireworks-
earplugs in
a darkened room

dark menacing skies
downed trees and power lines-
the storm overhead
–
brooding clouds-
wolves bay
in the distance

blind and deaf old men
sit in darkened boardrooms and
beat the drums of war
–
black water-
death waiting
on the far bank

glowing yellow eyes-
pure malevolence lurking
within the shadows
–
soft underbelly-
the sudden turn
of claws and teeth

on the village green
the hollow toll of church bells
ringing out the dead
–
frozen earth-
grave diggers toil
into the night

deep under water
looking back at the surface
as I sink farther
–
valentines day-
ice cracks
beneath my feet

in my father’s chair
still unprepared to carry
this heavy burden
–
fallen acorns-
my little feet
in your shoes

written in anger
signed in blood and gently sealed
with the kiss of death
–
impending storm-
newspapers aloft
in the morning wind