I had coffee with Death once
He…she….they, told me,
“I wish people would stop
Thinking of me. Of cursing me…
Or worse…romanticising me.
Life wishes the same too.
We both just want to be.
We don’t think of any of you.
Neither cheer nor complain
If our work has gone better or worse.
But YOU! You dare put all your
Burdens and desires on us
And tell us how to do our jobs?!”
Death went cherry red from anger.
He…she…they, gulped the cup of mocha
And furiously munched on a puff pastry.
“Well? Are you just going to sit dumb?”
I looked at Death rather blankly
I was neither interested in him…her…them,
Nor bothered about Life.
They all looked the same,
Just with different names.
I shrugged nonchalantly and
Went back to finishing my blue-pea latte.
Death huffed and got up, leaving cash
On the counter, striding out the café door.
But I knew he…she…they,
Would be back
To croon the same old tune
And finally take me too.