. . . Just Thumbin' Down the Reaper

Kenneth, loves satire and writings to spotlight others, but he also has an "addiction" so to speak, to dramatic and abstract/prose poetry.

Just thumbin' down The Reaper
Sinking down in sin, lies, and smoke deeper and deeper.
I know that ridin' might be cheaper
I'm just standin' here thumbin' down The Reaper.

I've heard he's a nasty jug of ugly bones
A filthy hood and mournful moans.
A sickle sharp and curses low
Beggin' us fools to faint and go.

Now dat ol' Reaper he's not my kin
He's a shadow thin of skinny skin.
Feet of bone and hands of ice
Pets a serpent and feeds *us rice.

I'm thumbin' down The Reaper
The whore's a nice girl, but I can't keep her.
I got her once, maybe thrice
Reaper sold her coat and gamblin' dice.

Ol' Reaper's the funniest thang
Showed hisself in my dern's and dang's.
Middle of cotton field so white
At my bedside at stroke of midnight.

I'm just thumbin' down The Reaper
Such a soothing gent
Although walking, stalking and running
Wouldn't cost me this last cent.

I know it's wrong, but Reaper don't judge
He sticks his blade dripping with sludge.
Licking his bones he flicks his cloak
Slaps his bony legs at what I spoke.

Now I'm thumbin' down The Reaper
He got no name, but what a creeper.
No jail time and hates thu' sunshine
Ol' Reaper dat new buddy o' mine.

Wind's pickin' up and Reaper's late
Hounds-a lickin' my soul at Devil's gate.
I hear his teeth a clicking away off
I'm ridin' with Reaper jumpin' outta da loft.

*us rice--could be understood as the smallest of compassionate acts of still life.

© 2016 Kenneth Avery

Comments

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

Jodah,

Thanks for the comment, my good friend. And leave it to you

to find something in my text that I thought would not be

discovered. Humor.

What a sharp sense of logic you have.

Happy 2017.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

Ruby Jean,

You are very appreciated. Thanks for the time and words

that will be remembered always.

Happy 2017.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

DreamerMeg,

Your comments about this hub made me feel warm inside

and cheerful when I read them.

Thank you and appreciate you.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

Yoleen,

You are a poet too?

Loved your verbiage.

Peace.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

Say Yes to Life,

Great comment, friend.

Thank you sincerely.

Peace and a Great 2017.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

Dear Sakina,

Awee, how sweet. You have such wonderful words.

Thanks for the comment. Write me anytime.

Kenneth Avery (author) from Hamilton, Alabama on January 03, 2017:

MizBejabbers,

Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a profound comment.

I have to agree with you.

Yoleen Lucas from Big Island of Hawaii on November 10, 2016:

"Whether a king or a street sweeper,

We all have a date with the Grim Reaper."

- Gary Gilmore, the first person to be executed in Utah after the death penalty was reestablished in 1975.

DreamerMeg from Northern Ireland on November 08, 2016:

Like this poem. Some times thumbin down the grim reaper is a mercy but mostly he appears when we don't expect or want him, even if we have been thumbing him down!!

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on November 08, 2016:

Who would have thought a poem about the Grim Reaper could be so humorous. Love this, Ken.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on November 07, 2016:

Another good one Kenneth! The Reaper is ' dat ' mean ole Devil.

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on November 07, 2016:

It is a good one. We all have probably evaded the Reaper many times.

Sally Gulbrandsen from Norfolk on November 07, 2016:

Very nice Kenneth, I think one of your best yet:)