Death's Avoidance

For many years I sidestepped death
been so afraid to die
Said I would choose my last timed breath
and last dropped tear to cry
 
A very careful life I led
No chances I had took
Sleeping in my little bed
reading the good book
 
My youth passed by and slipped away
no trace of death I saw
Middle age were carefree days
The letter of the law
 
An older man I stayed home much
the fear still in my gut
Death could not sneak up on me
in my small country hut
 
My family daily brought my food
my poor dog always tested
For not by poison I would die
and see Death have me bested
 
Salesman they would come and go
but never tricked me once
For I would never open doors
for books or mail or such
 
So grey and frail for many years
so very long I lived
by just refusing to meet Death
and the release it gives
 
I've seen the centuries
all slide by outside my chosen cell
countless things have passed me by
inside my static hell
 
Hearing and my sight both went
my poor bones they did ache
the price I paid for slow decay
and every day to wake
 
Death had one trick it finally tried
to meet me in my dreams
I felt safe there with nothing real
and nothing as it seems
 
A little crow who spoke to me
with song so sweet and pure
No one would suspect it's Death
I can't be blamed for sure
 
It asked me please to follow it
to it's nest so demure
But only if I wanted to
my agelessness to cure
 
So in dreams I did fly with it
To it's home of chicks
and they too all did welcome me
bereft of crimes or tricks
 
To it's word it made me young
my body lean and strong
but one poor chick absorbed my years
withered and was gone
 
I begged this please be permanent
and change back wanted never
"Only if you swear", it said,
"to live in dreams forever"
 
"I'd gladly trade my waking form
for this amazing life"
Existing in the realm of Dream
with no fear,death or strife
 
And so I died back in your world
and finally learned at last
Death is just the end of flesh
and all the rest has passed
 
Heaven is a dreaming mind
for all someday to meet
So welcome that crow when it comes
Dreaming's forever sleep
 
[Submitted to Death Comes Knocking Competition 2/16/15]
 
[I was given a runner up recognition 2/29/15]