Isle of the Dead

Silently gliding
Down the river Stix
Towards oblivion,
The isle of the dead,
The boatman's skull
Grinning at me,
Obscene and horrid,
Am I finished?
Am I through?
I - who loved life
So much,
Flowers in May,
My loved ones,
Green pastures
And sunny days,
The azure skies
And the blue sea,
Dancing a tango,
Jasmine in the air,
Please, dear God
Or faith or anyone,
Let me live,
Stay the darkness,
Even for a little while,
The boatman turned to me
And whispered:
'Not yet - not yet',
And the man in white
Standing over me said:
'We almost lost you
But you pulled through,
You willed it...'

Alfred Charasz
Copyright 2007 Alfred Charasz