Dear Death | Teen Ink

Dear Death

August 11, 2010
By Thesilentraven PLATINUM, Mableton, Georgia
Thesilentraven PLATINUM, Mableton, Georgia
40 articles 2 photos 1632 comments

Favorite Quote:
"il piu nell' uno," (according to Emerson, an Italian expression for beauty)

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" ~Emily Dickinson

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain"
~Kahlil Gibran


Dear Death,


Can you understand love? I seriously doubt that you can; because, if you could, you would have looked into my mother’s eyes when she had turned around to smile at me in the car that day. You would have seen what I had seen: the affection glowing in her hazel gaze and the joy that flitted across her lips. That blissful moment before terror.

You witnessed that love shining like a headlight in our midst, yet still you made our car swerve off the road. And you wrenched my mom and dad from life’s embrace. My embrace, even though I thought I was holding on tightly enough. Why did you take them cruelly in your arms, and stalk past my brother and I? We were in the car too! I’d rather be walking hand in hand with them (wherever you took them after that day) than be left in the dust of life.

When I woke up in the hospital the next obscure morning, white-coated figures told me that they were gone. Through my tears, I made a solemn vow. It was a vow to hate you for the rest of my life. Mom and Dad, gone? You don’t understand love.

Your newest enemy,
Rose

Dear Death,



It’s been a year since I last wrote you, and I have already broken my vow. You took Grandpa yesterday, but he was different. I loved Grandpa in a way that would bring tears to anybody’s eyes. He used to tell me fantasy stories, swearing that they were real. I’d say, “you’re crazy, Grandpa!” He would look really serious and say, “What? You think I’m crazy?” then smile and wink: “maybe a little bit.” He warmed my heart so much.

Cancer, supposedly, was the murderer. But I recognized your aura in the hospital when he called me in to talk. He told me that everything was okay, giving me a smile that I had come to know as my friend. He told me that everything was all right, that there was nothing to fear from you, that he was just moving on, that I would see him in time. His words consoled me, but I cried as he gave my hand a little squeeze. Then I saw his spirit floating like a veil out of the room. I could have sworn that it winked at me.

I broke my vow, because I forgive you.

With love,
Rose

Dear Death,



It has been four years since Grandpa died. My brother has had a really hard life (as have I, for that matter). I had often seen him in his room praying, with tears in his eyes, before he left home to get a job. I guess no one answered his prayers, because I was told this morning that he was found dead after having jumped from his apartment building. This time, I shed no tears. I am beyond that now, even though my big brother is gone.

Before Grandpa called me to his sickbed, I heard him saying to my brother with a smile “teach Rose all that you know after I’m gone.” He has done so, because I’m looking at the noose that I have tied for myself, a foot in front of me. I’m almost ready to walk into your arms, just like my family. Now I have just stepped up onto the chair…

I don’t know how these letters will reach you, but I hope they do.

I want you to see what you have done.




See you soon,
Rose

Dear Rose,


I want you to know that I have read and reread your letters; they were very beautiful. Silver tears line my worn face as I watch you swing slowly like a pendulum from the rope. I also want you to know this: I’m so sorry. But your brother, he had jumped; somebody had to catch him. But I know you loved him. Your grandpa, he shook my hand as I helped him from his deathbed; he knew that it was all okay. And I know that you loved him. As for your parents, I did see that look in your mother’s eyes; and I’m so sorry that she and your father had to leave with me. I know that you loved them. But I am the deliverer; some people must be left behind as I take the others with me.

I remember your first words to me. To answer, I do understand love. I have seen so much, how could I not? But I’m glad you wrote to me and that you will be joining the ones that you care about. I look into your tranquil face and think: this is not the end, Rose.

Your friend,
Death



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This article has 239 comments.


on Feb. 5 2022 at 1:58 pm
Emma_Owens GOLD, Rowan, Nebraska
10 articles 1 photo 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”
-C.S. Lewis

This was great.

on Jan. 12 2022 at 4:23 pm
ILiveToRead PLATINUM, Wailuku, Hawaii
24 articles 3 photos 150 comments
This was so humbling. So well thought out, viewing death as something not entirely bad or something to be afraid of. This piece shows immense maturity and growth. And I have to say, the line "he had jumped, somebody had to catch him" is like a smack in the face, so dark yet pure and beautiful and utter genius. Death catching her bother as if an act of kindness, showing death as a being with emotion and maybe even a heart, even while we all know that by the act of Death catching her brother he effectively died. I bow at your feet, respect.

Aanya said...
on Jan. 12 2022 at 12:08 am
Aanya, Chandigarh, Other
0 articles 1 photo 1 comment
Absolutely Beautiful

Lydiaq ELITE said...
on Nov. 28 2021 at 8:55 am
Lydiaq ELITE, Somonauk, Illinois
179 articles 54 photos 1026 comments

Favorite Quote:
The universe must be a teenage girl. So much darkness, so many stars.
--me

This is creepy and sad and fantastic.

on Apr. 17 2021 at 4:15 pm
SparrowSun ELITE, X, Vermont
200 articles 23 photos 1053 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It Will Be Good." (complicated semi-spiritual emotional story.)

"Upon his bench the pieces lay
As if an artwork on display
Of gears and hands
And wire-thin bands
That glisten in dim candle play." -Janice T., Clockwork[love that poem, dont know why, im not steampunk]

this is awesome

on Mar. 25 2019 at 1:08 pm
Jordi2112 PLATINUM, Gardner, Kansas
29 articles 6 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe

@hadeez_03

on Dec. 17 2018 at 3:03 pm
Jordi2112 PLATINUM, Gardner, Kansas
29 articles 6 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe

That was incredible

on Nov. 9 2014 at 9:57 pm
Wolfira PLATINUM, Evansville, Wisconsin
22 articles 0 photos 8 comments
This is literally my favorite thing to read. I've come back to it for over a year now because it's so beautiful, powerful, and humbling. You have a real gift!

HudaZav SILVER said...
on Apr. 22 2014 at 10:54 am
HudaZav SILVER, Toronto, Other
8 articles 6 photos 390 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Nothing is impossible; the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" -Audrey Hepburn

This was so powerful Expecially the line "I’d rather be walking hand in hand with them than be left in the dust of life"

on Feb. 15 2014 at 3:04 pm
ElizabethAnneHall BRONZE, Moultrie, Georgia
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
Extraordinary things are always hiding in places people never think to look .

Love it :)

on Feb. 6 2014 at 9:43 am
PeaceLoveandMotherEarth SILVER, Brookville, Pennsylvania
7 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
All is fair in love, war, and video games - Me

This was wonderful; I almost started crying. Your language is beautiful, and it just sucks you in.

Mella PLATINUM said...
on Dec. 28 2013 at 12:43 pm
Mella PLATINUM, Natchitoches, Louisiana
22 articles 0 photos 35 comments

Favorite Quote:
" All the World's A stage, and all the men and women merely players." - Shakespeare's "All the Worlds A Stage" poem.

This brought tears to my eyes. Great job

BexS. SILVER said...
on Nov. 29 2013 at 1:15 pm
BexS. SILVER, Copley, Ohio
7 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When life hands you lemons make grape juice, sit back, and let the world wonder how the hell you did it."

I love the line "somebody had to catch him" in Death's letter. It's my favorite line.

JohnnyTruant said...
on Oct. 30 2013 at 12:28 pm
JohnnyTruant, Las Vegas, Nevada
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
This was really good! I enjoyed the development, the whole structure of your story.  I also very much enjoyed your word choice.  The ending was absolutely wonderful.  Such a morbid beauty.   Very Well done.

on Oct. 30 2013 at 12:23 pm
BeautylovesBeast SILVER, N. Las Vegas, Nevada
5 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
The dumber people think you are, the more surprised they'll be when you kill them
-anonymous

This is a great story and I you did and great job on it, usually I do not really like dark stories but this one was just amazing.

on Apr. 16 2013 at 11:21 am
The_VERsaTiLe_Poet, NY, New York
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
Life is a tale told by a fool full of sound and fury signifying, NOTHING!!

Really good...a very nice piece of work!!! appreciate it!!!!

HalieNicole said...
on Jan. 17 2013 at 1:02 pm
HalieNicole, Cowpens, South Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
I get chills each time I read this!

Taty9 SILVER said...
on Jan. 11 2013 at 12:38 pm
Taty9 SILVER, Las Vegas, Nevada
5 articles 0 photos 5 comments
This was absolutely amazing; the best thing Ive read so far. Where ever did you get your inspiration?

on Dec. 8 2012 at 2:37 am
Elizabeth-of-rohan PLATINUM, Abbeville, Louisiana
35 articles 0 photos 49 comments

Favorite Quote:
Pain is stronger than life, stronger than death, love, loyalty, duty.
~Essad Bey

"you are tired (i think) of the puzzle of living and doing; and so am i. come with me, then, and we’ll leave it far and far away—" - e.e. cummings

Great story. :)

Alexali702 said...
on Nov. 4 2012 at 6:45 pm
This was such a beatiful and raw article i loved and enjoyed it so much i had to read it to all my friends and family. It was dark ,amazing and raw i loved loved loved it!!!