Reprieve!

I saw me go, I walked away!
I couldn't stay another day:
Although I died, I felt no pain
And
When I cried
There was no sorrow
Just confusion of displacement
Knowing there was no tomorrow!
As I descended into Hell
I met a me I knew so well:
Hello! I said, how do you do
So happy to have caught up with you
Do you think you'll stay-
Or wait until another day?
I looked around for a familiar face
But hell is not exactly the place
To find such!
So I pondered the question..
Who would sit in the judgement seat
Who would decide my fate.
Would Christ descend into hell
As my defense...well!
As the Judge sat on his bench
Ready to claim my soul-hence
He said, proclaim yourself a fool..
As he pounded his gavel in anger
You're free will exists no longer
Hell is your final resting place.
Laiden heavy, I felt dismay-when
Christ appeared to light the way
Reaching out he took my hand
Together we ascended
To the Promised Land!

Phyllis Nikbakht
Apr. 5, 05

Mr. Death

I hear a light tapping
Of bony fingers on my door
It's Mr. Death himself -and
For me he's coming I'm sure
Go away! you Spirit of doom
I'm not ready can't you see:
I'm just now learning how to live
Go away and let me be.

I need time, yes I need time-but
If you keep on tapping
My time will just run out-and
I will give up without trying
I now can hear you tapping
At the foot of my bed
That tapping is annoying-and
It's ringing in my head.

What do you want from me
I just told you I'm not coming-and
If that tapping doesn't stop
I can't finish what I'm doing
So if you don't mind
Please come back another day
When I have done what I have to do -
And Said what I have to say.

Mr. Death! you're not paying attention-and
You're tapping's getting
loud It's interfering with my thoughts
Is that a burial shroud
That you're holding in your hand
You're not being fair to me
You're unjust Mr. Death
You are blind and cannot see.

Go away! Go away!
I won't tell you any more
Mr. Death! Mr. Death!
Don't you open up that door
I can see the flames of hell
They are on the other side
If you open up that door
There will be nowhere to hide.

Then I'll be lost for ever
Consumed by all that's evil
You know who's on the other side
Mr. Death...it's the devil

Phyllis Nikbakht
1989

What God Intended!

The morning sun is rising
Bringing light to the horizon
As all around the world
There is strife
There's a threat to life
Makes you wonder
What God intended
Or why he cannot see
The minds of those no longer free
Forced to accept
Another's authority!
Makes you wonder
What God intended
As bombs explode
And people die
While birds soar across
A war torn sky
Blood is shed
As bullets fly
The innocent are made to die
Makes you wonder
What God intended
Is this another inquisition?
To take us to another dimension
Of Faith, Hope and Charity
Why must we cry
To be free of oppression!
Not to be the possession
Of a Godless Society!
Is this what God Intended?

Phyllis Nikbakht
Mar. 9, 06