Come to me vagrant, O Death:
starved of bone, starved of lung,
dime-eyed and savage.
Do not come to me gorged and gorgeous,
for it is only when you have known
true hunger, withered to a stalk,
submitted to beggary and stale breads,
you may come to my door, my table.
It will be then, O Death, that pity
becomes you – it will be there
in my clouding eyes you bear witness
to what makes grief a giving – it will be
there in my dry cracked palms held
empty before you, not a partaking of life,
but a share of a hunger assuaged and willing.
Image: Chris Buckwald on Unsplash
This piece is re-posted at https://dversepoets.com. Check out the pub, stay for a nip.
Sweet and Bitter Greens 
This feels like “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
I realise your thought process may be different here but that was my immediate feeling..somewhat Christ like, how Christ would have gravitated to the lowest of the low.. now that is a cause and religion I could really sign up to.
Thanks, David. My thought process was different, but reading it with your comment in mind gives this another turn. I like that, and yes, I as well would sign up for it. To be honest, I don’t want to be taken by a glutton, I’d rather death starve for a time before coming for me. If it came to me gaunt, the rules of hospitality dictate that I provide food, drink, warmth and whatever comforts I can provide.
D
This is exqusite, Devon! One of the best pieces of yours I’ve read and deifinitely one of the best poems I have ever read in general. Honestly this is a marsterpiece. Kudos, kudos, kudos!
Mae
Wow. Thank you Mae, that is a humbling comment and very much appreciated. You are so very kind.
D
I speak the truth my friend! 👌🎈
Devon, mesmerizingly stunning work… !
Thank you, Lance!
D
Always a very sincere pleasure, Devon.
I love this piece so much. You had me at the first few lines! It’s definitely enchanting and enriched with evocative, mesmerizing imagery. It sounds like the narrator wants death to visit them in an honest manner–starved and hungry. There should be no falsities or pretenses in appearance. Death should take the narrator as they feel–that’s what I think is the essence of this poem. It intrigues me, and that’s a fascinating outlook on it.
Beautifully written with an enjoyable rhythm.
Thank you, Lucy. Yes, I adhere to the “rules of hospitality” – if anyone comes to my door, even death, will be given whatever it is I have to offer.
D
I love the wordplay and imagery in this especially, “Do not come to me gorged and gorgeous,
for it is only when you have known
true hunger, withered to a stalk,
submitted to beggary and stale breads,
you may come to my door, my table.” Such a powerful voice.
Thank you, VS. I really appreciate the read and comment.
D
Great to see you here at dVerse, D. I love the concept here, meeting Death and meeting it eye to eye. When I think of so many images of the grim reaper, it always seems very tall and imposing.
Hi, M! I generally do not get involved with groups. But I thought, “what the hey”. The welcoming has been wonderful.
D
🙂 If you want your poetry read by poets, dVerse is the place to link them.
Yes, I like the “Pub” experience. Thank you for leading me there. You are very kind.
D
Your poem has echoes of Dylan Thomas, Devon, especially in the lines:
‘starved of bone, starved of lung,
dime-eyed and savage’
and
‘there in my dry cracked palms held
empty before you, not a partaking of life,
but a share of a hunger assuaged and willing.’
A powerful poem, beautifully written.
Thanks, K. I appreciate the read and comment. Oof, Mr. DT. I am humbled.
D
This poem is stuffed with good things, and a certain anger, I feel. The best I have read this month!
I am glad you picked up on the anger part of it. Age tends to bring thoughts of one’s own mortality at times. I was not quite ready for such thoughts at the time of writing this. Thanks for the read and comment. I appreciate your kind thoughts.
D
You’re welcome….
A dark shadow feeling for me in reading this piece of reality. Chillingly crafted.
Thank you, B. I appreciate the read and your reaction to it. A bit dark indeed.
D
You’re welcome