If
Death is a guest
Who visits but just once
To all the good people
And all the bad ones
It doesn’t matter if you’re rich
Poor, filthy or clean
Healthy or unwell
Wide awake or in a dream
She’d meet you when she pleases
Knock heavily at your heart
Enter without permission and
Snatch your soul and then depart

Then
Would she be well greeted
If her visit was well announced
Or would she be most welcomed
If she dropped in unannounced?

If
You make yourself accustomed
To the sight of Death
The sight of her running a show
Every day and every night
Inside your little head
…
Then
Death will not frighten you
Nor strike a tingling sensation
In your spine
For you will already be dead
Inside your little head