Upon a throne, neither high nor low
It sits almost still, tapping a tattoo
Darkly robed, swathed in shadow
A figure, a mockery of man

Bring it tribute, toll in gold
But expecting both rich, and poor
Those that don't, still toil
Empty eyed, and heavy gaze

Look forth, listen hard
No breadth nor, heave of lung
Dealing silence, absorbing darkness
If my beating heart, still beat

Sowing, mining for toll
Neither pain, or break
Carry great weight, for not
Sour passage, the gate

It came for me, bright
End of days, lead in life
Survived war, and glory
Asleep, interrupting dreams

A tip, tapping breeze
Long fingers, it's only motion
It's boney music, tap
Tap, tap, tap

It wasn't me, but it searches
Collecting souls, or spirits
As they pass, traveling
We work, passage denied

I suspect, it waits
Tapping, hollow tone
Fingers, infernal sound
But not, I fear, for me