ON SWIFT WINGS

Like a curtain of darkness,
I descend.

The night is young,
The night is cold.
I see you shiver,
And pull up your covers.

Scared.

Like a child.

The darkness is everywhere.
I am everywhere.

You feel me.
You breathe me.
Yet you cannot see me.

Your breathing is laboured.
Your forehead is damp with sweat.
Your thin frame is trembling.

…Why are you scared?

You know I have come to take you.
It won’t hurt.

Tenderly,
I stroke your cheek.

Gently,
I hold your hand.

Soothingly,
I comfort you.

Softly,
I sing to you.

Silently,
I smother you.

Hush now, child,
The angel sings.
For Death comes
On swift wings.