012118d

Death's vacation
came to an abrupt end
idiot sub keys to Underworld
lost and found

a shade wandering in gloom
swore at her stubbed toe
crept to Hell's door
flung it wide

looking like RenFaire escapee
wandering fields
dusty roads
small-town sidewalks
eating it all
with her eyes

"Howdy, miss"
young man with evident interest
her hobby, languages
practiced on new arrivals
she had an unearthly air
made friends fast

He who'd lost the keys
hoo boy!
sucks to be him
thousands had escaped
some hadn't gotten far
took years to find the rest

any that had made it offworld
D. hired hit men
charge a bundle for that
Death offerred immortality
most laughed in his skull
sent where sun don't shine

bottom line
when she died
started studying Martian
it was cool