On swift a wing I come to thee, that which all men earn
Dark am I, within your mind, I am the thoughts that chill,
A frightful shimmer, behold but a glimmer,
The lesson all will learn
And some, they say, no light of day, or even soft a glow,
No star in the sky, or moon in the night, dare show when I am near,
I am the fear, the bringer of tears
Who sings the song of woe
In your final moments pray, but only I preside,
Beg and cry, head to sky, no pardon you will find
No place to hide, to stand behind.
Body and soul divide
All your mortal values gone, great wealth and pedigree,
Your vanity and prime, all lost, the moment you found me
Despair am I, as old as time
For I the Reaper be.
Fui quod es, eris quod sum.
De mortuis nihil nisi bene.
Venit dies in qua vos oraverint,
“Sit tibi terra levitas.”
