Immortal

I

Moonlight crashes down in waves around us,

as we face each other,

Death and I.

She is beautiful,

even with her bone white smile

and merciless eyes.

And I stand at the ready

for a battle or a dance,

whichever she decides.

II

I sit stewing, alive,

and my chest aches

and a heart

that I’m not even sure exists

beats, keeping me alive,

forcing sad memories through my veins.

If I plunge a blade through my skin

all that comes out is wisps

of smoke and shadow,

nothing more.

III

Death is close enough to touch,

in every corridor,

in my own shadow,

but she steps back,

evading my embrace.

She turns her masked face away from me

as if repulsed.

But…

IV

She grows tired of our back and forth dance

and in one motion

brings me to my knees.

Blood spills out,

running between paving stones.

She leans in.

I finally feel her breath on my skin

and see her face,

and then

I am alone.

V

My heart beats for itself now,

striving not to stop.

I cross this sunlit courtyard

to the archway leading out,

and step onto the road

where Death will walk with me

as I live my life,

mortal.