Cheating Death? Poem by David Taylor

Death why are you oft’ portrayed
As some grim reaper leading to a grave
In fertile fields reaping is a time
That is a culmination of growing all that’s fine
But for man you conjure up all that’s dark
As a shadow you wait or even mayest seek
To take each and every one, by one, away
Whether old, or in our prime, or young
Death why are you oft’ portrayed
As bleak and lurking, making all afraid
When all that causes grief you take away
Is it grief that I wouldst hold on to every day
And fear that death will take from me right here
Oh death! I would cheat you here and now
And voluntary, surrender all I own; I vow!
But wait a while, I do hear me say
Until the reaper nears, then I will, at the very last
Cheat him of his deathly grasp
Cunning yes but do not be deceived
He may well find me unprepared
And wrest from me my life, before I die
So I look behind my back; and fear
The reaper; dark, foreboding, black
And perhaps; already near?