Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light

( a Quatern )  

 
I thought with faith I’d keep the light ablaze;  
There’re things about myself I tried to fix.  
The Reaper stood in black with cards it plays,  
I threw my challenge down before his tricks.  
 
There’s no way I’d give in without a fight,  
I thought with faith I’d keep the light ablaze.  
I stood my ground and showed I felt no fright,  
The Reaper’s echoed words told of my days.  
 
A feeling of resolve in my malaise  
Came to me as I set forth strong demands.  
I thought with faith I’d keep the light ablaze,  
My birthright to control the shifting sands.  
 
A grin of Reaper’s maw almost like hate,  
The figure of my death begins to raise.  
The sound of laughter finally seals my fate;  
I thought with faith I’d keep the light ablaze.  
 
 

Grandma, you were not supposed to die.
Please, why did you have to go.
It wasn't supposed to be this way, you and me.
You were supposed to see me graduate, watch me at my wedding.

But now you're gone, and i'm just as dead.
I feel you everywhere, but you are not here.
I thought you'd live forever.

Life wasn't supposed to be this way, you weren't supposed to be gone,
And I wish you were here to make me feel better.
I remember the little things about you,
Like butterscotch candy coated tongues and scratchy soft wool sweaters.

It all comes back to me in pieces,
Spice cakes and Pineapple,
Tuna fish and warm summer days.
Grandma you weren't supposed to die.

The smell of stale Marlboro cigaret's and cheap butter mints,
I'd trade all of my shiniest pennies for more time with you,
Because with you, it felt like I had forever and a day.
Grandma you weren't supposed to leave me,
How the hell am i supposed to be okay.

Fight hard against the death that is threatening
To take your very last breath. Do not go gently
As the day of judgement and final reckoning
Is approaching. Do not be afraid of the barely
Lit sky as it takes the hope you tried to hold
Onto in your calloused hands. I always pray
For your survival and fight against your cold
Death. There is not enough time for us to say
What needs to be said, but I still wanted to
Say I love you and I hope that your tears keep
You alive. The light slowly begins to leave you
And the dirt that others keep trying to sweep
Off your grave is reemerging, but that should
Not stop you from the forest’s burning wood.

 
 
   
There’s nothing, outside the word of God,    
Will make me believe in another way.    
To deny Him when Death’s at my door,    
Is to forsake all the love He’s shown me.    
    
I’ve felt and heard the Lord by my side,    
When I embrace life, when I am at rest.    
His lessons I live as years go by,    
For the moment I join Him in Heaven.    
   
In the past you were full of darkness,    
but now you are full of light in the Lord.    
So live like children    
who belong to the light.    
   
As for God, His way is perfect;    
the word of the LORD is proven;    
He is a shield to all who trust in him.    
   
We are hard pressed on every side,    
but not crushed;    
perplexed, but not in despair;    
persecuted, but not abandoned;    
struck down, but not destroyed.    
   
I’ll let His words be my guiding light,    
When it’s time for my eternal journey.    
As I am prepared by them with prayer,    
To then welcome this faithful one home.