The Grim Reaper.

Black robe. Protruding skeletal crooked hands.

Upon feet of bones. This ghostly spirit stands.

His skull shines so brightly in the dark.

With decaying teeth, his smile is so stark.

Clutching a sickle, waiting so eagerly to swing.

Maybe another selfish soul, to their death, bring.

He stares into my eyes causing trembling and fear.

Knowing that to other people he has brought a tear.

I look in the other direction hoping he will go away.

Looking to do things greater. Finding a better way.

I feel he is still there. Looking over my shoulder.

Feeling the weight of my decisions, like a boulder.

After a while, I forget he is even there.

Then I error and feel the weight of his stare.

I quickly recover. Try hard to do better.

Maybe I owe him something. Like a debtor.

But what could I owe him? What is the exchange?

This thought haunts me. So, it feels very strange.

As a tool, I will use his presence to make me better.

Then I realize. Maybe he is sending me a caring letter.

A note explaining to me to do good, or I will soon meet him.

Maybe he is trying to help me, though he looks ugly and grim.

Could it be that ugly and repulsive things can do good?

Those things can encourage us to do things that we should.

We must be righteous or there may be a price to be paid.

If we do deliberate evil, then we may encounter his blade.

I realize now, maybe he is really on my side.

Keeping in check my selfish and greedy pride.

I guess I shall thank him for pushing me in a good direction.

Unknown to me, he is the enforcing vaccine to an infection.

The Grim Reaper is my friend if I see him in a good way.

For now, since I am imperfect, he should probably stay.

This may sound really strange and all very odd.

Maybe the Grim Reaper is really serving God.

Kasey Dann.