I had more or less decided not to do NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) this year because I have a bit too much going on at the moment but here I am. I came across this post from Lagan Press – they will be giving daily writing prompts throughout the month of April.

I really don’t expect to write a poem a day for 30 days. If I manage one a week I’ll be happy.

Today’s prompt from Lagan Press is to write a poem to the character of death. For various reasons it sort of hit a nerve ….. which is always a good starting point 😉

A Poem to the Character of Death

I will not humanise you, impose a personality nor picture you as upright with your cloak and scythe

We make no such persona for birth, that other bookend of life so why should it be different for you?

Birth brings hope, an open road where anything could happen and a lifetime of living awaits

Death, well you are simply the point where we run out of road. Why do we flatter you so much?

©Siobhán McNamara