The name's Death, just Death...

[Hawkman]

I do not do casinos
and cards are not my game,
roulette is far too chancy
(but bingo’s much too tame).
I walk about un-noticed,
and through the maddened throngs,
no tune by Monty Norman
ever hurries me along.
I’m number: zero, double-oh,
it’s true. I was the first,
but I’m a freelance agent
and for some, a dying curse.
Although I’m famed for taking life
I do not do the killing,
someone else is good for that -
I deal with the chilling.
No one’s ever seen my face,
at least while they’re alive,
but everybody knows me
when I’m seen with sightless eyes.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Much as I admire the jauntiness of this I could not help but notice the lamentable absence of any reference to beach-balls but, knowing you, I'm going to make a private wager now with Herr Professor Jerrybaldly

[dafydd manton]

The cheerful side of snuffing it!! I rather like this one, Hawk, made me smile.

[Jerrybaldy]

Nice one Hawk
I particularly like his dislike of bingo as too lame. Death would definitely think that. Russian roulette is no doubt his favourite.
Was crying out for something inflateable though ;)
Jerry

[PrinceMyshkin]

Nice one Hawk
I particularly like his dislike of bingo as too lame. Death would definitely think that. Russian roulette is no doubt his favourite.
Was crying out for something inflateable though ;)
Jerry


Our Hawk deals with just about
anything relateable
but he don’t mess with flateable,
neither in- nor out- nor re-.

No man of puffed up stuff
is he.

[AuntShecky]

I knew I disliked Ian Fleming's hero but never quite knew why. I thought it had something to do with his cavalier treatment of women-- but now I see the reason was that he was only 7 rungs down from the Head Double-Agent, Mr. (first name unknown) Death.

We know that Ol' Scratch makes wagers --The Book of Job, Faust (though that could have been less of a bet than a mutual business deal), "The Devil and Daniel Webster," but what does the Devil's partner-in-crime gamble with? And why?

We know that Death plays Chess, though mainly on black-and-white boards and in Sweden. Maybe he bets his opponent on how fast he can checkmate him.

Your verse tells us the kinds of gambling he dislikes. The fact that Death avoids casinos and Bingo halls must be comforting to high-rollers and American Catholics, respectively. Hope he doesn't hang around racetracks!

Similar to the old saying that the Devil never goes away until you laugh at him, this amusing piece reminds us that even though we ultimately can't beat Death, at least we an temporarily hold its power at bay with humor.

[Delta40]

nice and witty 0 double oh is a great touch

[Hawkman]

Dear Prince,

I am tempted to take up your challenge, but, as I disapprove of gambling, I regret that I will not succumb to referring to inflatable objects in verse, be they beach balls, life jackets or even space-hoppers. (I really never liked them) Therefore, depending on which way you bet, either you, or JB, must inevitably be a loser :D Puffed up? most definitely not. These days I have barely enough to get me to the top of the stairs… :devil:

Dafydd, you old rogue, every passing moment is a step closer to the great leveller and his calcareous grin. What else is one do than to smile back at him.

JB, I think M. Mort, being an anthropomorphic personification and impervious to bullets, would certainly enjoy Russian Roulette as he would inevitably be a winner. But playing with an opponent would be something of a busman’s holiday, I feel. As you crave an inflatable, I recommend a lilo, as they are at least relaxing. Take the weight off and take it easy :D

Hello Auntie, and thanks for dropping by. I must say, I enjoyed reading your comment as much (if not more) than rereading my poem, if it can be called one :D Yes, what would be the stakes in a bet between the Devil and Death?

Presumably souls would be the chips on the board., However, The Grim Reaper’s predilection for Chess is well known and has been commented on previously by this author in a poem entitled Urban Fox, which quite clearly states that Death Cheats. I for one would not wager any stake with him on a game, either in Sweden or elsewhere!

As for the races, It is the Sport of Kings, or so I am led to believe. Of course kings can die as easily as commoners, (see my signature) so it is possible that the eidolon of dread might be hanging around the track in the hopes of collecting a royal soul, though these days there aren’t too many left. And to conclude, I refer you to my answer to the honourable member for Sheffield, Comrade Manton.

Delta, Agent triple nought grins with you.

Thank you all, sweet people for troubling to read and comment. May whatever deities (or in the case of atheists, the shades of favoured philosophers) bless and keep you.

Live long and prosper. H

[hillwalker]

I was stirred rather than shaken by this Hawk, a very witty piece (with your customary hint of the devil's grin lurking in the background) - recited by Moore rather than Connery?

[zoolane]

I’m number: zero, double-oh,
it’s true. I was the first,
but I’m a freelance agent
and for some, a dying curse.
Although I’m famed for taking life
I do not do the killing,
someone else is good for that -
I deal with the chilling.
No one’s ever seen my face,
at least while they’re alive,
but everybody knows me
when I’m seen with sightless eyes.

1st I though it was about being assassin, then I think penny drop that it about wait for death to come or person portrait is death himself.

[Hawkman]

What Ho! Oh rambling one. I feel that that Moore's eybrows squeaking, as the trade-mark acting style took hold during the reading, would detract from what gravity may be found in the piece. Personally, my money would be on Mr. Brosnan to sell the lines. :D (I hope you washed the swizzle stick after stirring) Thanks for letting me distract you from weightier literary efforts :D

Zoolane, thanks for reading and commenting. You are right in interpreting the poem as a self-portrait of Death, but he's been watching too many Bond films....

Live and be well, H

[zoolane]

Well I think everyone seen a bonds films special ones Sean Connery or Roger Moore. I have probably seen old 60s & 70s lots, my mum was fan also of John Wayne.

So who death: Dr No or Jaws?

[Bar22do]

Ah, Hawk, witty it is...
These days all speak about death, so I suppose I'll have to confine to my computer's file my own on the subject (well, not that it's my first)... Thanks for the amusement!

[Hawkman]

zoolane: As I recall, Dr. No succumbed to his own reactor after a fight with Bond so he difinitely met the Reaper. Jaws, I believe, lived happily ever after with his pig-tailed, bespectacled lady friend, so I don't think he qualifies either :)

Sweet Bar, Always happy to make you smile, although I apologise for taking the wind from your sails.

Live long and prosper. H