A Twisted Tale

• Jasper Gilmour, Grade 7
• Poetry
• 2022

In death’s domain I stood, approached by a figure in a long dark hood,
In its hands it held a bell. I rang it three times and went straight to hell,
In front of me a horse of pain, its coat glistening and its eyes aflame,
I mounted the steed unsure of where the journey would lead and rode on even though the stars were gone.
Before me the devil stood and I stared him in the eye, shook his hand and said goodbye.
Along god’s path I went even though the trees were bent,
In the distance I saw a wood, I walked inside for I hoped it was good.
Through the branches upon a clearing I gazed, in its centre a bright light blazed,
I walked away for this I pray, so back down to death’s domain I walked along the path where spirits talked
Though another trail caught my eye, a path of growth and things that fly
I ventured along its twisted track, not daring to look back. At the end was a figure, its eyes a starry glimmer.
I approached, it said to me ‘Life is my name but some call me a twisted game’
To this I said, ‘Then who’s to blame?’ ‘Nothing’ replied Life,
‘Not the moon nor the sun, not the bullet of a gun.
Not the sea or the sky or even those who someday die,
Enjoy your existence’ said Life and with that strode off towards the distance.