When Bell Tolls

by shadow1950taunton, Somerset, England, UK

Apr 2013 563 Views 12 comments

When the Bell Tolls

Author: shadow1950

As I grow old and frail
feeble I am becoming
my body bones brittle
skin now hangs in folds
legs like sticks all bandy
I sense death he's closing in
soon he will wait no more
the stench tells it all
death my old friend
waiting in the wings
your grinning face
haunts my dreams
silently you wait
knowing I am yours
when the bell toils
you will be the victor
and I? to dust return

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Posted: Apr 2013

About this poem:

death is a subject we all avoid mainly I think because of our own mortality yet its the one sure thing in life after birth sooner or later death is there waiting

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Comments (12)

darkhorse555donegal, Donegal IrelandApr 9, 2013

the older we get time runs out nicley done

shadow1950OPtaunton, Somerset, England UKApr 9, 2013

hi Liam poets of yore covered this subject well nowadays we seem to shy away from it

Poetnumber1St James, Port of Spain Trinidad and TobagoApr 9, 2013

I have written many pieces on death but I must admit that I shy away from the subject most times.

shadow1950OPtaunton, Somerset, England UKApr 9, 2013

dear M.M its too close to home people fear the unknown heads in the sand and hope it goes away lol
ty for your comment dearest friend

rapturecapturekerry, Kerry IrelandApr 9, 2013

Hi Shadow

I have always been afraid of death.. in fact..I would go as far as to say petrified.
Today I feel at ease with the subject...
Maybe its because I now believe...one day I will meet all that I have loved and lost... and all belong to me that have gone before who I have yet to meet.

When it comes to my turn..
Let the bell ring out loud like a Sunday Morning Blessing.

Really enjoyed reading When the Bell Toils.

Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts.

shadow1950OPtaunton, Somerset, England UKApr 9, 2013

hi Martina theres more people that most realise mainly because its a rarely talked about subject people literally squirm if it comes up ty for reading

trurorobAlicante, Valencia SpainApr 9, 2013

Bloody hell!!, morbid or what, but well written. Life to me is a oy and if there is to be no more I wont know much about it, so never really dwell.
Rob

shadow1950OPtaunton, Somerset, England UKApr 9, 2013

ty Rob to grow as a poet you need to touch on many things emotions and styles just trying different things
ty for reading

EarlgreyteaLimassol, CyprusApr 14, 2013

I love the idea you tout of befriending death, it reminds of one of my favourite authors, some quotes on death below:-

“In a world where death is the hunter, my friend, there is no time for regrets or doubts. There is only time for decisions.”
? Carlos Castaneda, Journey to Ixtlan

“Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you that you're wrong; that nothing really matters outside its touch. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.”
? Carlos Castaneda, Journey to Ixtlan

love and light...

shadow1950OPtaunton, Somerset, England UKApr 14, 2013

Ty Earl Grey I like the quotes hadn't heard them before. ty for stopping by