It started out as just a dare,
Some silly courage test:
A haunted house might be a scare
To spend the night, and rest
Amongst the spectres of the dead
All lurking in the dark
In places where men fear to tread
But I’d just have a lark.

Then on that eve I took the leap
With sleeping bag in hand
To watch the ghosts and goblins creep
And there, I’d take my stand
By laughing in the face of death
While staying there alone
Or would, by fate, I yield my breath
And pass as cold as stone?

The first few hours were deadly dull
And soon I fell asleep
But once awake a cloakéd skull
Appeared who claimed to reap
The souls of those who kicked the can
And judged them for each deed;
I listened, smiling, but then ran
Away from there at speed

I made my way toward the door
Then tried to pull it free
But it refused and then I saw
That death had come for me.
With terrifying open arms
And scythe placed by his side
The ghostly figure used his charms
To urge my suicide.

Resisting with all earthly will
I kicked him really hard
Then grabbed his blade to try and kill
This reaper while off guard.
My desp’rate sweeps just passed like air
Against his rising shape
And he declared “I will not spare
Your life, there’s no escape!”

Resigned to this, I let the heat
Inside just slowly leave
And though my life was incomplete
I’d gladly then receive
Whatever judgement I had earned
And as I touched the sky
I thought of all my lessons learned
In life, and said goodbye.
 
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