In celebration of International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day, I give you “Death Pantoum”. This poem was first published in the Battle of the Bards anthology. A pantoum is a traditional Malay form of poetry with very strict line requirements. I hear it’s easier in the Malay language than in English.

Death Pantoum

It doesn’t matter how you get there
Whether you’re sleeping, or catching a bus
When death arrives, you won’t expect it
You’ll die making brownies or watching TV.

Whether you’re sleeping, or catching a bus
The stereo system is stuck on repeat
You’ll die making brownies or watching TV
Regardless of whether you paid your taxes.

The stereo system is stuck on repeat
Whether you’re paying attention or not
Regardless of whether you paid your taxes
Only your death completes the circle.

Whether you’re paying attention or not
When death arrives, you won’t expect it
Only your death completes the circle.
It doesn’t matter how you get there.