I Saw Death One Evening

Death came down from above

before the night had fallen.

He had no tail—only wings,

like a little angel.

I said to him, please,

I still have much to do—

do me this one favour,

I do not want to die yet.

“Death,” he told me, “of the body

is but another beginning for your soul.

The two of us will go elsewhere—

there lies your eternal life.”

I insisted, begged for a delay,

to remain a little longer.

Now that spring has come,

I do not want to enter the earth.

“There is war everywhere,”

the little angel said to me,

“I have others to go to—

think on this for a while.”

“I do not care where you go,

just leave me here to live a bit longer.

You, as an angel who loves me,

leave me behind.”

“But this cannot be,” he said,

“I have my orders.

Pray to God instead—

you will have my blessing.”

“What use is a blessing,” I said,

if I am to die?

I will feel nothing in my body—

what then will I enjoy?”

“You will enjoy the heavens

only with your soul,

and this will be forever—

your body is no longer needed.”

Then the Archangel came

and said to the little angel,

“Come—Evangelos is dying too,

hurry now.”

When I opened my eyes wide,

the storm had passed,

and I heard the birds singing—

My God… it was not yet my time.