the reaper reaps

Death woke up different one day
stared into the mirror in dismay
for like an insomniac who daily tries
there were big bags under his eyes
and then his cheeks began to shrink
brittle blue from baby pink
he fearfully touched his vanishing hair
and the shiny skull spots birthing there
new wrinkle lines speedily cut in
like a familiar scythe ripping through skin
his proud pearly whites next fell loose
brown and useless like yesterday’s news
now his eyesight dimmed and blurred
like two spoonfuls of cataract stirred
maybe he heard a laugh but he wasn’t sure
with eardrums broken beyond cure
like an emperor bowed without a crown
his knees gave way and he crumpled down
and like a shower of sudden summer rain
his trousers burst into yuck yellow stain
as his chest started to rattle, splutter and give
he shrieked but gasped, “I want to live.”

ram cobain