Death and the Maiden

(after Matthias Claudius and Franz Schubert)

--Peter Skrzynecki

Death speaks softly

like an old friend that visits

without giving notice—

that enters the house

without first knocking

or waiting to be asked in.

The voice that calls out

is that of a young girl

who asks Death to go away—

she pleads her youth,

calls Death “the dear one”

and speaks against being touched.

Death continues to speak

lovingly and tells her

not to be afraid—

that Death will comfort her,

give courage

and promises she will sleep:

after all, Death is the old friend

to whom the door

was always left open—

trustworthy, reliable, punctual.

A violin’s notes stab the air sharply

Death speaks for the last time.