I saw him
His face like ice
His eyes a scary fire
Aye! I saw death himself
He took my hands in his
So cold I shivered
His fiery eyes shoot through me
His face an epitome of calmness
A tear from eye did escape
For the much I’d lose
I thought of family and friends
No! No! I cannot be gone now
But he, with a cold finger
Wiped the tear off my eye
And with an iced breadth said,
‘Fear not, child
I was only passing by,
For it is not time yet’
I awoke drenched in perspiration
But relieved I was
And so calm death was!
Writer: Janet Colette Okike, Finalist Okigbo poetry contest.