there were no deaths March 31st
The Reaper was incarcerated
but bail was met on April 1st
when Time and Fate corroborated

Time said, "Death can take no rest"
his buddy Fate concurred
"cuz when we get behind it seems
that Life sends out the word…

so little Time, so many deaths
a thousand souls a pittance
mortals fight to their last breaths
then yield to non-existence"

The Grim One stepped out of his cell
aligned his neck with a jerk
then everything just went to hell
when ol' Sawbones went to work

mothers and daughters were lost
a hundred were overdue
everyone paid the cost
babies and old folk, too

three hundred died in a crash
four thousand lost in a storm
Fate and Time held a bash
applauding return to the norm

speak to Him or don't
spend or save your breath
will you, sire, or won't
you make a friend of Death?

He drums his bony fingers
on your sofa's wicker arm
in the parlor where He lingers
waiting to do harm

waking up that morning
seemed a normal day
He came without a warning
to spirit you away