Not Waiting For Death Poem by Randy McClave

I wouldn't wait for death
So, death waited for me instead,
He waited for my very last breath
As my bible I meticulously read.

He showed up in his horse drawn carriage
When he came to take me away,
Though I was and felt a little disparage
I still had time to pray.

Sadly I couldn't say goodbye
To my family and the people that I will truly miss,
For them I couldn't even shake their hands or cry
And I wish I could of given them all a kiss.

I thought that death would allow me to pack
But, he said to me taking any possessions, "No! ",
Not even the shirt that was on my back
To forever stay to where I must go.

We traveled upon a well known road
That I have traveled on many times before,
When I had helped strangers and friends with their load
But, now I can't help them no more.

I saw the people that had hurt me and others
That had continually used and lied and cheated,
No more of them will I hear or see should be my druthers
Said to me by death when we first had greeted.

Death then allowed me to sit up front
As I was heading to my very own judgment,
Memories and deeds he said I would now confront
That is the only reason why that he was sent.

Death then told me of Heaven and God's everlasting love
Then he told me all about Hell and it's sin,
One was below, and one was above
And only God knew each soul's fate and when.

I confessed to death all the bad that I had done
But, I had never ever put myself first,
And I had never ignored the father or the son
And I have always worried about someone else's thirst.

Down the road death and me kept on going
Passing the many people that I once knew,
My memory just kept on growing
And why was I am passing them I had not one clue.

I then saw the ones that I had loved weeping
The same ones who lied and took advantage of me,
Now from their sins they are now grieving and reaping
Said to me by death in confidentiality.

I saw the tears and I heard the screaming and the pleading
As they were sent to their damnation to dwell,
In the past they ignored the Lord and his heeding
As they all now were cast in in the fiery lake of hell.

We were on the road for a very long time
And then up ahead I excitedly saw Heaven's golden gate,
I wasn't afraid, I was saved and I committed no crime
I was ready for my judgment and fate.

I looked and thought back to the friends that I had saw
Many waiting for their death to arrive,
Now with a joyful heart I wish well to one and all
On earth and in Heaven I hope their soul to survive.

Then from that dream I was awoken
From that carriage death had kicked me out,
I still remember the last words that to me was spoken
The voice said, "I was taking the right route".

Randy L. McClave