My Name Is ...

You do not want me near

Though I'm with you every day

You block me from your mind

At least you try, but I stay

Following closely behind you

I hide in shadows 'till the time

Life's pages stop turning forever

The cover closes, the book is mine

There is no need to fear me

Don't dwell on why I am

I'm here, that's all that matters

I am not a God, nor am I a man

But then, I'm not an illusion

I'm as real as life itself

You could say I'm a collector

Books of life adorn my shelf

And as life's story is near ending

You call me with your last breath

Asking me to come out of the shadows

Come and take me

You who are called Death

© June 6, 1987