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.