I passed death by on the street today, on my way to school

The air froze as he walked past, the wind suddenly cool

I spun around to watch him go, transfixed by his presence

The black of his drab, the chill of his unseen countenance.

I waved to death today, saw him passing me by

I do not care whether or not he smiled or waved back, or simply heaved a sigh

He was busy I could tell, his steps fast and broad

The cloak that masked his face burled behind him, his feet just visible as they trod.

In my haste to watch his leave, I failed to notice my own course

My feet caught on an upturned root, my body thrown to ground with no little force

Rolled to the side I did and into the road, the breath knocked from me

Straight in to the path of a passing humvee

“It is for me, that Mr. Death has come.”

“It is I who shall be no more than a grease spot, a smear of scum”

Dull in my mind, seconds ticked past

I drew in a breath, savoring what was to be my last

I was in the air, before I saw the treads of the tires, felt the thrum of exhaust on my face

Heaved off the road, away from my fate, away from the pain against which I hadn’t had time to brace

In my savior’s arms I rested, quiet and shivering-ly alive

In his arms I felt adrenalin leak from my limbs, a giddy feeling that I did indeed survive

The squeal of the tires, I did indeed hear

The sound of metal on metal did install fear

I saw the inferno, of the crashed frame

That the drivers fate and mine could be the exact same

My hero put me down, lying amongst the grass

Waiting for the fear and shock in me to pass

I saw him walk toward the flames, reach a hand within

Wrench a person out, his fist wrapped about the man’s shin

Death waved to me, as got the man to stand

His voice called out above the wail of sirens, a cloud of darkness over him did expand

“Thanks kiddo.  Watch where you walk!”

I watched him leave, fear and surprise making my poor knees lock

I passed death in the street today, waved to him in the small chance of our meeting did allow

Though you may not believe me, I must explain now

I helped him in a basic way, stepping too far off the taken road

Death walked past me today, and thank god he never slowed.