A Tale Of Two Friends

I laid in bed an old dying man; yes, and was quite alone
Fading memories of a long past youth and a far away home.
For the things I have done, good and bad, I must atone
It's the way of things--a reckoning--seeds I have sown.
When, the room became unnaturally bright from a source unknown
Then, a voice rumbled in the background in an unfamiliar tone.
--"Step up here boy, give me your hand
I am death and your life on earth is at an end."
--"Do not struggle or try to withstand
I am not here to harm you, I am only a friend."


My body did quiver, my heart did flutter, there was a knocking at my knees
I was reduced to a tremulous state......... like some debilitating disease.
"I think not," said I. "Wicked apparitions I will not appease
Leave unholy thing, do not taunt me with your devilish tease."
"Wicked--Unholy," it replied. "What unsavory words are these?
Let us now depart, your time is at hand. Come with me please!"
--"Step up here boy, give me your hand
I am death and your life on earth is at an end."
--"Do not struggle or try to withstand
I am not here to harm you, I am only a friend."


I pondered the thought, was this truly life's end
And further more, was this voice really my friend?
"Just one thing," said I. "I do not wish to offend
What of my soul, shall it rise upward or descend?"
But the voice bellowed and shook the walls of my den
With a tone of impatience, these words did transcend.
--"Step up here boy, give me your hand
I am death and your life on earth is at an end."
--"Do not struggle or try to withstand
I am not here to harm you, I am only a friend."


Then came a rolling mist, yet still, a form it lacked
My house shook violently, the walls and floor cracked.
As this evil became known, horror engulfed my shack
With horns upon his head--Serpent wings on his back!
It flew toward my bedside, moved in for the attack
And again the voice sounded as light faded to black.
--"You foolish mortal, come take my hand
your torment shall be legendary in a world where I dwell."
--"Do not fight me nor try to understand
because in my world you will learn a new meaning of Hell!"


Then, another blinding glow--An angel with a sword of light
He transcended the darkness, intervened to take up my fight.
It was good against evil, wrong against right
And the angel prevailed with all of his might.
He then moved to my bedside, his halo came in sight
An outstretched hand for me on this dark, dreary night.
--"Step up here son and give me your hand
I am death and your life on earth is at an end."
--"Do not fear me, nor try to withstand
I am not here to harm you, I am only a friend."


I crossed my arms and blatantly replied, "oh!  Yet another friend."
With a shake of my weary head I muttered, "well, here we go again."