3
For thirty years we did not speak,
I moved and changed my name.
I wed, had kids and was quite blessed,
but then the sickness came.
The sickness came for my daughter,
my darling girl was weak.
Her chestnut hair fell out in tufts,
her once green eyes grew bleak.
And then one morning at breakfast,
there was a certain knock.
The clang of metal against wood
so to the door I walked.
I knew he stood there listening
I did not make a sound.
So I made sure the door was locked,
and then turned back around.
A voice came through the door right then,
one I had long repressed,
"Barry, please try to understand.
She must go now," he stressed.
"No Grim," I said under my breath
You don't know what's at stake.
If you take her, I too, will die.
My own life I will take."
He stayed silent then for a while
stillness between wood boards,
but then he spoke his final words,
a warning I ignored.
"Barry, it's you I love dearly,
so I will leave her be,
but now your child stays past her time,
the blame's on you not me.
What is to come is not my fault,
events will soon unfurl.
Do not come find me when they pass
I tried to help the girl."
Right then, I thought it was a trick,
but weeks began to pass
and Grim Reaper did not return,
yes, I had won at last!
Hey sir, your drink is empty now,
the day is turning night.
You must have better things to do
than listen to my plight.
No, sir? Really? Are you quite sure?
You want to hear some more?
Please tell me when to shut my mouth
if I become a bore.