Death Disappeared

By Ellie Stokes

I peered around

The corner last night

And saw him lurking,

Ready to fight.

I should've gathered my troops,

Called on my allies.

Instead I lowered my head

And let him hear my cries.

My cries of despair,

Of exhaustion, of pain.

I screamed through the storm

But was drowned out by rain.

He came closer, then -

Slowly at first

Then faster and faster,

Screaming that I'm cursed.

His claws were drawn,

Ready to attack

But when I didn't cower,

He took a step back.

The fear in his eyes

Matched the terror in mine.

We stand there staring, thinking

"We've met for the last time".

But he turns around

And I grab at his clawed hand.

He just shrinks away

So there I stand

With a single deep scratch,

But so hurt and alone

That death himself couldn't help

And had to go.

By Ellie Stokes