In Metaphorical Translations of Death

by Claire Wang, graduating in '26

September 2, 2020

"To Be There" by Michelle Sze, Del Norte High School '21

Death is a shadow Darkening the day lurking around every corner A clandestine companion whose presence no one enjoys

Death is eternal an everlasting sleep A constant reminder how impermanent humanity actually is Civilizations rise and fall but death reigns on its throne

Death is a firestorm Whether blissful relief or consuming rage or choking sadness or sadistic joy or sweet bitterness or cloyingly both it is all too intense to realize that forests can rise from the ashes

Death is inevitable a fearsome natural storm an uncontrolled force The greatest mystery of humanity

Death is a flaming blacksmith’s forge It hammers and twists and shreds the heart until the only thing left

is an iron-clad, rock hard stone of misery.

Death is an essential element in life Sad and miserable as it may seem It is not the only force we take for granted

Death is the pathfinder on the road of life Paving the way for centuries to come

Death is a spider’s web A trap for fools, or the invisible end to life most know it to be,

or maybe even the spider itself Prancing over to bleed your life out with its venomous bite.

Death is a medieval fighting dagger. A quick stab in the heart, a painful slit in the throat, messy and bloody, or simply a bruise that never healed.