You Cannot Pay The Ferry Man

by CJ Maleney   May 29, 2019


When that scrawny figure knocks at your door.
Do you shirk to hide beneath the floor?
To move away from his icy touch!
Bring all you love into your clutch.

When it speaks without lips or tongue.
When it tells you that the bell has sung.
It tells you one more friend has passed
And reminds you that you will not last.

It does not matter if you are sun or moon!
Your time it comes but it may not soon.
The call this day was of a greater worth,
No desire for one of a lower class birth.

Yet when he takes one who you care for,
You say "take me" and do implore.
He says "you have not earned your way"

No worth with which, the ferry man to pay.

    report violation
3


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Latest Comments

  • 5 years ago

    by CJ Maleney

    Cheers Bren.

    This started after a friend passed and I couldn't find the words to finish it.

    With each friend or loved one that passes you think death gets a little closer.

    Craig x

  • 5 years ago

    by Brenda

    Awesome write Craig! The visuals on this were spot on. Haunting, creepy...

  • 5 years ago

    by Milly Hayward

    I really like this. In some folklore it is the concern of the poor that they wont have enough money to pay the ferry man to take their souls to the ever after and that instead they will be taken to hell. This piece is saying to me that you cant take the place of your loved one because you haven't done enough with your life to have earned your place. Milly x

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      Thanks Mills chuffed you liked it

  • 5 years ago

    by CJ Maleney

    Not sure where this came from

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