Leaving the Dance Skipping to and fro With my Destiny, And where she points, I shall not go And instead I say, "Why should you lead me?" Now across the room, "These are the stakes. I fear that they are climbing higher." And at the sound of this I put on the brakes. And Fate says, "Do what thou must but don't call her a liar." Now dizzy from my previous rendezvous I say to Fate, "I hand her to you." And they glide away on the polished floor, As I cautiously think, "How close is the door?" But 'tis not the journey to the exit that worries me, But crossing the threshold to the other realm I see. And says Death, "My child, 'tis the Dance that exhausts you of life so. And on that dismal portal you hesitate, for you fear for your soul. Damned one cannot be for having weak bones, And the pity of breaking them on the plunge down to sharp stones Is not my field of work, But only after the fact. 'Tis in the shadows I lurk, Until calculations aren't exact. Every day someone shudders In a watery grave, and of his life A spirit mutters. But would you call these men brave? So the easy way out may not carry much glory, But I swear there will be someone to sing your sad story. So, my dear, walk with me. Shall we leave this mad place? I'll stand with you on the doorstep, But please, do not make haste. Now look behind you and wave your good-byes. See, as I told you. No tears in their eyes." And as I heard Death's clever words I screamed in the silence I only wanted things to be simple Not expecting my heart's defiance And I tell myself, "Back away from the edge, Give Life another chance." And I shuffle from Death's ledge, Then quickly rejoin The Dance.
			I was extremely proud of this when I first wrote it, although, I do believe that I need to re-write it now. This was another one where I got the first couple of lines going in my head, and grabbed some pen and paper. It's about being scared by the chaos which is life, and contemplating suicide. Fun, ne? Tell me what you think! Go back to the poetry page.