Death – #SprintFiction

Another little prompt from that writing group on Facebook. We did a live sprint, or rather, several, and then ended up with a ten minute flash writing challenge.

The prompt was Death.

This was what came to me…

ghost
DEATH

Death.
Huh.
You don’t scare me.
Really.
You’re just a namby-pamby character in a stupid, dark, hooded costume.
That scythe? It looks like you ordered it from Amazon.
Seriously.
You know what scares me more?
Suffering.
It’s not the fact that you want to take me.
It’s more how you plan on doing it.
Will it hurt? How long will it last?
And will I be able to see my family one last time?
Now that.
That scares me the most.
Never seeing my family again.
Not being able to say goodbye.
Not being there to give guidance to my children, be the lifetime companion of my partner, be the support for my elderly parents.
Death, you can take me.
Just make sure you give me enough warning.
Enough time to embrace all the ones I love, just one more time
Enough time to write letters to them all, with my words of advice for them.
Enough time to make sure I’m not leaving them in dire straits.
Please.
That’s all I ask.
It’s not much, really, is it?
 
Well, obviously it must be at the moment.
You are in a right rush, aren’t you?
Taking people left, right and centre.
All I see are people weeping, broken because they couldn’t say their farewells.
I’m hearing reports of these poor folk ill, suffering, alone in a hospital bed, with no one but the medical angels around them, scurrying from patient to patient, easing their last moments as best, they can, knowing there is little they can do.
 
Seriously, Death, I’ve had enough now.
I’m actually not ready to go with you.
I’ve got far too much to do.
I’m stronger than you – well, my willpower is, anyway.
I’m not going anywhere.
Just you try.
Anyway, I’m not allowed out anywhere at the moment.
How are you going to get in, when I’m not even opening the front door?
Goodbye, Death.
I’ll see you when I’m ready.

Ritu 2020

29 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Victor Eshameh
    Apr 09, 2020 @ 02:07:23

    Death has actually had enough, this year it took my grandparents and a beloved friend. Every word in this piece were content-filled. I will love to ask for your indulgence to add this awesome piece to my upcoming collections of poetry and essay on death. I am collecting poems and essays for my journal titled VOICES. You find out more on http://www.voices.giftedminds.com.ng You will be properly acknowledged for your contribution. Your profile, web and book sales link will be published alongside your picture. And you will get copy of the journal.
    I hope to hear from you soon

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. judeitakali
    Apr 07, 2020 @ 10:17:17

    Very defiant indeed

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. joey
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 00:40:46

    So good. So true.
    I don’t fear death, but I fear leaving my children — it was much worse, that fear, when they were smaller.I hear about people going into hospital, their loved ones having to leave them and pray they’ll recover. There are not goodbyes right now, and it’s terrifying.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. thereluctantpoet
    Apr 04, 2020 @ 01:16:18

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Erika
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 19:47:02

    Yes, tell that guy where you come from!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. johnfreda
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 13:13:50

    I know how exactly you feel in this poem. Well done. What Facebook group did you get the prompt from?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. willowdot21
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 12:30:35

    Nice one Sis very now 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. potatosandwich
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 07:24:58

    Mutual feeling

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Midnightlion
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 05:23:19

    Great poem! Everyone stay safe ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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