Standing and unmoved I didn’t allow the stench of Death To affect me
Standing and unmoved I didn’t let the screams of Death overtake me
Beside his bed I held his hands Hands that were unfamiliar And prayed for Death Who to me Was a liar and a killer
Waiting and unmoved I wondered if Goodness and Mercy Had gone on and left me Praying and unmoved Death then whispered something to me
Death dying, Death shaking Death speaking Saying, “Help me!”
Holding his hand (So unfamiliar) I stood by Death Who to me Was a liar and a killer
With Death dying, Death crying I spoke, saying “I really should be going I’m not supposed to be here I turned my eyes for just one second And now I’m lost I really should be leaving.”
Then Death spoke Coughing, wheezing begging, “Please stay And comfort me awhile It helps me just to see your smile Don’t worry I can’t hurt you now my sweet I know my fate It’s death that waits for me.”
Now seated beside him I didn’t allow the stench Of Death to affect me Sitting unmoved I wondered if Goodness and Mercy Would still be waiting
Squeezing his hand (So familiar) I encouraged Death Who used to be a liar and a killer
“OK, I’ll stay For a little while, anyway.” And I stayed Comforting Death Unmoved by his affliction
Then for a second I closed my eyes And found me in a new position On Death’s bed! I was shaking, I was crying, dying Moved from my foundation
I couldn’t speak But Death spoke Grinning, Saying “Thank you.” And that was all. He then strode out the door Hand in pocket Down the hall. And left me, With hands unfamiliar Screaming at Death Who to me Was a liar and a killer.
be anxious for nothing You said yet, i lie here worrying about things not worth my time or Yours
I waste away while licking religious wounds nails chewed down to flesh leaving me left with the taste of earth and curse, curses laid to rest beneath mounds of my abandoned past and still, i keep digging
when will i get tired of digging empty graves for memory’s sake stirring up what You’ve already buried that day i said yes to the better things
why do i persist in devaluing the time You took to craft my soul from unemployed dust particles to flesh and bone
You, the Inventor of Flesh, thought it not a waste to get down on hands and knees Holiness kissing earth, and breathe into my imperfect heap
Love whispered Life into my stillness body meeting Living Word again what were the words You breathed?
remember when we were poor, happy, and thriving living only on love?
the world couldn’t touch us
but we weren’t careful we started wasting love took love for granted
and then, one day we started running out of love could barely keep love on the table
i remember getting angry when love was wasted
“there are people in Africa starving for that love”
soon the cupboards were bare
now, i go out every day searching for love, begging for love sitting on street corners holding signs that read “will work for love” pining for the days we were poor and happy living only on love
Marquida Roberts 