- Dinner for Two and Death Would Like Tea
By: Michael Vanderhoof
I pace the floor with footsteps all around the house so late,
Waiting for a special guest, an unsuspecting date.
An hour past a while ago, a couple more or two…
My time is rather limited, and my soul is almost due.
This day, it so reminds me, of the same the day before,
Again I pace around so adamantly, for the doom outside my door.
Then finally there’s a shadow, blocking out the midnight light,
My guest is finally here, and it’s a most surprising sight….
The sickle, in one boney hand, and in the other an hour glass,
For my time upon this earth, is now something of the past.
I invite this looming presence here inside across the room,
knowing every second counts, as I am soon to meet my doom.
A spread I have prepared, hoping minutes more I just might see,
Then I do the strangest thing, and I prepare two cups of tea.
My hands are trembling greatly as more time I try to pass,
Knowing well, so very well, that this moment could be my last.
Two cups are poured and there I stand, not knowing what to do…
My lips they shuttered utterly, “Would you like one lump or two?”
Not a word is ever spoken, so I assume the tea is fine.
Then I pass the cup and saucer, and I hope this buys me time.
This ever looming presence takes the cup and starts to drink…
My next move is so reluctant as my mind begins to think.
Was it one lump, or was it two, that now has death upon my floor?
I guess the math is not important, as my life is spared once more.
I live another day, and many more I plan to see,
Cheating death, will have its cost, but not this time for me.
I will live another lifetime, and make this one count the most,
As I stand before you now, as a very distinguished host.
-
Author:
Michael Vanderhoof (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: October 8th, 2016 00:06
- Comment from author about the poem: This poem is subject to interpretation, and I love to see how the readers/students will add or take away from this one... In this story, the character is presumed to be waiting for death to arrive for him and take his life...(Which if think about, it is that way for all of us...) So, the character DOESN"T know when death is coming, but lives in fear of death to arrive at any time. (This could be true of you the reader or not...) Anyway, when death is invited (key element) into the home to take the character's soul, he is stunned to see the hospitality and NO SENSE OF FEAR the character is displaying. (however, as you can tell from poem, he is really scared to death) this turn of events actually kills death... NOT THE TEA...LOL However, at the end of the poem, I try and give the reader a hint, by mentioning being a gracious host. The symbolism and mystery in this poem I feel go hand-in-hand, and I leave the scenery to the imagination, except for the picture at the top of what the Reaper looks like. ***The message in this poem is to make the reader decide whether or not he/she will embrace death or not when the Reaper comes for you! Are you going to live life to it's fullest each day or live in fear of the future, and the eventual death that one day will be coming for you! ***
- Category: Gothic
- Views: 122
Offline)
Comments4
Michael,
You really outdid yourself on this one! I love the personification of death and the articulate imagery. I'm not sure if this was your intention, but it's worded as if the narrator kills death. I found it a very amusing and insiteful finish to this piece.
What lengths one will go to, to survive. I suppose the other way you could look at the ending is the narrator is discussed because he wanted to die, but he went through the feat. of the tea because he's scared of his fate. Please tell me what you intended, especially if it is neither of them! Again, great work
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
Remind me not to have tea a your place. Nicely done.
Michael, this is a great gothic poem with the writer's theme on death was cheated as the focal point. The imagery coincided with the scary read. Wonderfully penned. 🙂
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.