My Death My Soul

jerry harrenstein

I saw your shadow dancing 
late last night in between
lightning's light.
We were the only ones out
that night.
Remember?
Now your shadow follows 
mine on yet another black
and gloomy night.
Is this your way of telling
me that it is my time to go,or
are you out tonight wanting
only to say hello?

I have heard of you and the
blood mercenary work you do.
I hear too that you take great
pleasure in the work you do
and that many people die 
needlessly because of you.
As far as I am concerned, 
you are an unwanted jerk
sent here only to hurt, so
I will not stop to meet with
you here on this night, nor
any night.

Why does your shadow scurry
so here late into this night?
Is it because you think I might
compromise and let you take my
soul tonight in lieu of the fact
that I would put up a fight, but
rather wait until I am asleep, or
during the day when I am earning
my keep?
Matters not to me what you think
because I will not be joining you
tonight, or any time of day, so 
stop thinking of me as your prey
and go away!
By the way, how dark does it need
to get before your shadow goes 
away?

Even now your shadow closes in on
mine with every street light we pass,
but I am not ready to become part
of civilizations past, especially
due to a fiery death dealt by 
someone whom I can only describe
as an ass without class.

Unfortunately for you Shadow, I
will stay one step ahead of you
for my death will be made my way
without evil standing in the way!
I have thought of many ways to kill
myself , but like so many things in life
they often end up sitting on the drawing
board's shelf.
Besides, I am too old to die 
for the life I haven't had
and too young to die for the 
life I've had!
I will fight you all the way into
tomorrow's day to keep my soul
because the spirit that is my
heart and the body that houses
my soul would not have it any
other way!

Many people have accepted your 
offer of the ultimate sleep in
exchange for a soul they did not 
want to keep, but your death is
not final, it is damnation eternal!
With your way of death there are 
no more tomorrows, nor hearts filled 
with love, joy, or sorrow and 
certainly no time for the mind to rest!
Well, perhaps I could give up a heart
that weeps and a mind that has had sleep,
but my soul I must keep!

What's this?
Is your shadow falling behind?
Is it because day light starts to
crack the black of night
and that is why your shadow is
suddenly fading out of sight?
Are you crawling back to the depths
from where you come to escape the day light
only to wait for another night?

Shadow, before you go, know this!
You will never possess my soul!
Never!
Now I must go and nourish my soul.