Χάρων
She comes calling.
With ashen face, hooded, cloaked,
Bearing harvest tool.
Her who gifts bring:
Silence, peace, stillness, oblivion.
I greet her, but I do not embrace her.
She does not speak
Demands entrance, knowing
She cannot be denied.
Her who ferries souls
Across rivers: Styx, Acheron.
I admit her, but I do not embrace her.
She in the hall
Bringer of sepulchral chill,
Freezer of time,
Paid bearer away
Of time expired ones.
I welcome her, but I do not embrace her.
She raises arm, bony finger pointing
Indicating courtyard,
Transformed now
To river bank,
Planked landing, passenger ready.
I follow her, but I do not embrace her.
She takes my coin,
Mistress pilot of the Styx.
She skulls us,
Me now willing,
Toward Cerberus and Eurydice.
I accept her enforced crossing, and I embrace her.