Death

Because death is never
an ending
only a beginning disguised,
so the skeletal knight
rides a white horse
with red eyes-

Let the old king die,
let the high priest grovel
for a little more time-
the children know
that a new sun will rise
and so bring flowers
to Sir Death,
that courteous knight,
who looks almost surprised
by a gift,
and reining in horse,
gently passes them by-

copyright 2001 Phoebe Claire Publishing, LLC  All rights reserved