Decisions after Death

Author's Note: Well, this is the first piece of poetry that I have written in a very long time. I really struggle with poetry, and decided I needed to leave my comfort zone and give it a try. I really enjoyed in chapter 6 the mystery and torn spirit that surrounded Mr. Utterson since he was left with a letter only to be opened after the death of Lanyon and then Dr. Jekyll. Since Lanyon died in this chapter Utterson discovered he would have to wait for another death to behold its contents. I was inspired by the quote, "The night after the funeral, at which he had been sadly affected, Utterson locked the door of his business room, and sitting there by the light of a melancholy candle, drew out and set before him an envelope addressed by the hand and sealed with the seal of his dead friend" (58). The other quote that I got my inspiration from was, "It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it; and it may be doubted if, from that day forth, Utterson desired the society of his surviving friend with the same eagerness" (59). So, through this piece I hope to have illustrated effectively the spot that Mr. Utterson is in.

Mourn the death
Cry away the tears
Release the sorrow
Let go of the fears

Everyone dies
It’s a fact of life
Something is always left behind
Leaving a family in strife

Whether a letter or a will
Remnants of prior days
These reminders do not fade
Relationships are frayed

What should be done?
What is this letter?
How should this be handled?
If only the days were better

Torn between two paths
Read the letter or obey the dead
Fulfill curiosity
Or let it remain unread

Fleeting Moments
Restless Nights
Outstretched Days
Mindless Fights

Loath the dead
Curse there name
No matter what though
Decision time remains

Mourn the death
Cry away the tears
Release the sorrow
Let go of the fears