Yesterday I posted an older poem Is it really too late on Facebook, Ritu of ButIsmileanyway asked if I had any more stories about death I told her I had lots in my archives, she told me to get them out.
Well our Ritu is a clever lady so I took her advice. I have pulled out a short story in verse, about Death’s apprentice loosing Death’s Book. I wrote this story back in November 2013. I do hope you enjoy.
Death’s book is missing.
The book was gone and all was panic
Death was furious, the whole place was frantic.
Angrily he paced the wooden floors
Searching every room and slamming all the doors.
Things were desperate, so he call the other horsemen in
He knew that they were busy causing war, plague and strife
Ruining crops, watching people die and generally spoiling everone’s life .
They came leaving chaos in their withering wake
“Lost the book” sneered War , plague coughed famine asked was there any cake?
The Angel of death was hiding from, he who was dressed in cowl and carrying a scythe
Death was frantic he new without his book those who should be dead would be staying alive.
It was famine that found him while he searching for nourishment
The angel of death hiding in the fridge , “he’s in here Death” famine shouted as he took the cheese and went.
Death was too angry to hang about any more .
Come on we have to search, Now. Shouting for his horse he rushed out of the door!
So the four horse men of the Apocalypse followed by the sulking angel of death
They went forth to find the book , they’d search the earth , width and breadth !!
The fairy foxes had found the book . They could not believe their eyes.
Did you know there were fairy foxes ? no, nor did I, it was really a surprise!
They had found some music in it which had made then dance
Such a cute sight these charming fairy foxes leap and prance.
But we have not time to linger watching them here
Death, his angel assistant and three brother riders will soon be drawing near.
The forest was a flutter all was hustle and bustle
The animals askance because the invisible fairy foxes dance was making the leaves to rustle.
Humans in the towns and cities were worried by the fact
That no one was dying despite their pleas and crying. It was making a huge impact!
The maimed, the diseased all brought to their knees , begging for oblivion please!
If looks could kill, Death would have his will but nobody was dying
The Angel of death wanted to be back on side with Death, he was really trying!
Death brought then all to a halt. If we are to mix with men our appearance needs to change
It will not help muttered plague, we’ll still wither their crops and give their dogs the mange!
What about him asked war pointing at the angel of death, I do not give a damn said Death!
Famine said he was starving, and so they changed ready to enter the human realm, for now of death bereft .
They searched , they over turned countries, cities towns
They lay waste to plains of crops and wherever there was joy they brought frowns.
The sick got sicker the wars got worse not one corpse would follow Death
No matter the mutilation, the cancer or the agony no one took their last sweet breath.
The angel of death was in despair, his boss Death was unsure what to do
War plague and famine had never had so much fun no lack of suffering, and that was true.
Governments around the world had meetings, the dead drew up and begged for oblivion
The angel of death could take no more, he went above his boss’s head, he new it was his wrong.
He crept slowly into the halls of heaven, the holy light
Bathed his body with the warmth he had long forgot.
The beauty of what he so missed , reminded him of what he was not.
He wept, he sobbed and grieved. Then he hear the Father’s voice.
Forgive me Father I need to see you I have no choice.
The face of the Father full of love and warmth looked down on his errant son.
He knew of course before the angel spoke exactly why he had come.
I know what is happening , I know why you have come.
The Angel of death felt all his worries wash away
He was home, away from the horrors and he wanted to stay.
Death was fuming , where had that errant angel gone
War was bored, famine was wondering where his next meal would come from.
Plague was unwell he thought it might be man flu
Death was worn out he really had run out of things he could do.
Death was exhausted with the hunt , he needed coffee he needed a break!
War was playing cards with some no hopers in a pub. Enjoying a pint of beer
Plague was at A&E sampling the best of care 21hrs wait, no sign of help there , he was enjoying the break.
Famine was visiting MacDonald’s stuffing himself with burgers and chips, coke and shakes…. his stomach showed no fear!
Where is the book, where is the book ………………. We’ve scoured the earth and still no luck
Stop moaning, ordered war, have a drink and cut loose join us in a game of poker
Plague was still at casualty hanging outside with the smokers.
Death watched him , the stress of the loss making him feel bad, something snapped and he shoved plague under a truck!
Plague got up and swore at Death , “What game do you think you are playing”
Being an immortal he survived ,Death strode down the street smiting innocent bystanders at will
They fell , they then got back up ! Death shouted “Bloody Hell” Famine , a mouth full of chips wondered what Death was saying.
War was ready for a fight he told his companions they were cheating , he was spitting fire ready for the kill.
Things were getting ugly , this was not fun .
Where was the missing apprentice ? that angel of death needed to see what he had done.
Suddenly all was silent , no bird even sung, suddenly it was black as night, …………
God was on the block and with him the errant angel who was not having any fun!
“Well” said the voice filling everywhere with light
Somehow everyone calmed down as all their fears took flight.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?
They knew they were in trouble they new they were in bin!
They had all been careless and causing trouble but felt there was no great sin.
A voice as smooth as syrup gently calmed the street
This calm somehow traveled around the world, believe me, no mean feat!
Death was secretly relived to see his lord and master.
Plague, war and famine if they had of had hearts would of felt them beating faster.
“Good evening, Death, I hope you are well and I see you have brought your brothers.
You have got yourselves in to an awful mess Death.” God said, then turned his head to look at the others.
The angel of death standing by God’s side tears of relief running down his beautiful face
“We have the book, boss” he said.He held it in his right hand,” praise be, we now can sort out the human race”
God looked down on the angel of death who now sat in his hand, what was he to do with him
And Death and his brothers three? They were doing their best but God’s patience was growing thin.
God surveyed the scene, and was not impressed with what he saw
Things were so far out of hand , even he wondered how to return things to how they were before!
He knew where the book was, he knew that it was safe
You would never realized that by the look upon his face!
War was getting cranky looking for a fight
Famine’s only interest was what would they eat that night.
Plague was playing with the undead infecting them with flu
He was having fun , until God looked at him and asked ” Is that really a nice thing to do?”
The angel of death was still sitting in God’s hand
He was sorry he had lost death’s book it was not what he had planned .
God told him not to worry all was in his power to put things back to right.
He promised the angel , Death would have his book before the fall of night.
God took Death to one side and told that he knew
How he had a soft spot for the humans and how he grieves at the bad things they do.
He told him where his book was in the leafy dell
God and Death visited the fairy Frogs as asked them to remove the spell.
The Fairy Frogs we scolded for distracting the angel of death from his work
They were duly sorry for distracting the apprentice angel who was never one to shirk.
God then walk the earth with his old friend Death collecting all the souls of those who were undead.
They soon returned order to the earth and removed all memory of the last few days from every human’s head.
So now you know the story and it’s ultimate and timely end
We can now leave Death to enjoy a cup of coffee with his horsey friends!
He told his apprentice not to worry it was a mistake anyone one could make
Then slammed his scythe down on the table to stop war and famine arguing over the last piece of cake!
THE END, FOR NOW………………..
willowdot21 
