O, death...

...could you wait to call me another day?

---

Death has been in the headlines quite a bit lately with all the celebrity deaths.

It has reminded me of what my old Italian grandmother told me once when I was a teenager. Trying to alieve my fear of death she said that the moment we are born death is always there, behind us, stalking us."

"Nana this isn't really helping," I said.

"Listen Joey, and remember this the rest of your life," she said in her broken English, my mother partially interpreting her Italian. "Do not fear death; it will have its way in the end. Fear a wasted life, a life without purpose, or joy. Make death the reason for doing the things you think you can't do, for pursuing those things you think are out of reach. Die without regrets -- nothing makes death madder than a well-lived life."

---

Title from the Ralph Stanley song "O Death" -- lyrics below; right click [link] to listen to this incredible song.

O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year

Well what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell

Whoa, death someone would pray
Could you wait to call me another day

The children prayed, the preacher preached
Time and mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet til you cant walk
I'll lock your jaw til you cant talk
I'll close your eyes so you can't see
This very air, come and go with me
I'm death I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To draw up the flesh off of the frame
Dirt and worm both have a claim

O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year

My mother came to my bed
Placed a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm my feet are cold
Death is a-movin upon my soul
Oh, death how you're treatin' me
You've close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin' my body
You make me cold
You run my life right outta my soul

Oh death please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you will move your icy hand

Oh the young, the rich or poor
Hunger like me you know
No wealth, no ruin, no silver no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul

O, death
O, death
Wont you spare me over til another year

---

Stock:

SXC [link]
kyndelfire-stock [link]

And my own (and purchased) photos and textures.

---

Black and white version of this work [link]