Walk With Me

The door opens and closes;

no footsteps follow.

No voice or breathing.

Silence.

Someone, no, something

grabbed my hand in theirs.

Clammy yet leathery,

Gray skeletal hands held

mine tight with gold rings 

on each finger.

Then a whisper. 

A beautiful, seductive, raspy

whisper. 

I turn to face it and am shocked.

Sitting next to my bed, 

is a man? A woman? 

I can't tell - there's no face!

A gasp escapes me.

Before I could stop,

I asked, quite rudely:

Why do you have

no face? Your black cloak

can't hide that.

A raspy whisper escapes,

from No Face.

Almost a laugh?

You have not done wrong

so you see no face.

Those who have see

the face

of their greatest victim.

It continues to talk;

in the whisper more,

seductive- no soothing.

How was your life?

Are you satisfied

with what you have done?

Any regrets?

I respond:

Great.

Yes.

Of course.

With each answer I grow

colder yet stronger?

It stares.

Deep into my soul, 

it stares.

One hand moves

and brushes a tear

rolling down my cheek.

You have lived well.

Now come with me.

It is time 

for your next journey.

Where am I going?

I'm not ready.

Please!

Somehow it managed,

to look like it smiled.

We are just walking. 

Come and 

walk with me.

But-

Shhhhhhh.

But I'm scared.

I know. Everyone is

when they meet me.

You had a good life,

so I will treat you well.

Let me show you

your reward.

Come, 

walk with me.

It stood there,

clammy grey hand outstretched.

Gold rings glistening.

Black robes waving gently,

in a nonexistent wind.

And I laid in my bed,

staring at its hand.

Thinking.

Contemplating.

I suddenly get up to walk,

confused at my new

strength. I turn

for one last look.

It stops me and

offers me its arm.

There's no need

to see what is back there.

No need to make yourself sad;

it is no longer your world.

You are ready,

which is why 

you feel as strong as you do.

You'll get more answers,

soon.

Now, let's go for our walk.