Thursday, January 15, 2015

I Smiled

I smiled at the Reaper as he swooped by. He was reaping souls as he is wont to do.

He grinned his deathly grimace and asked, "Aren't you frightened, Bruce? One evening, I shall come for you!"

"Not at all, Death," I replied. "You'll come whether I am frightened or not. I had no say as to my coming into this world. I will have no say about leaving. Why should that trouble me?"

Death looked as if he might say something, but he had more souls to claim, so he moved on.

*   *   *

The above came to me (more or less as I've written it) as I drove across Illinois yesterday evening. As the sun was setting, there was a gap in the cloud cover shaped remarkably like a scythe. I thought of the Grim Reaper, but the sky was so beautiful and I was so happy I smiled. I thought about my own mortality, and how it really shouldn't (and doesn't) bother me.

Have you ever thought of death, particularly your own? If so, what was your reaction? Please let me know in the comments.

Cheers!
Bruce

2 comments:

  1. I think about death constantly. I like to think of death as a friend who will one day come and take me on a glorious adventure, which I will not be able to share nor return. Though he can show up at my door anytime, every morning I hope that he will be caught in traffic, his plane will be delayed, and or has more important things to do other than pay me a visit, that way I can accomplish my dreams and goals I have set out to do. In any case, when he does come I hope I can welcome him graciously, and hope that he will be kind, gentle, humorous, and visually portray himself as Anne Hathaway dressed as Catwoman.

    Thanks for sharing. I believe you have hoped me create a new stand up piece.

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