Only the Dead are Welcome

it was dark

eerily so

the air was cold and thick

i felt sickbut kept moving

leaves and branches crunched beneath my feet

i couldn't see

but i kept moving

as i did it became darker still

a feat i did not think possible

but with my hands held out in front of me

i kept moving

and then i saw it

in the distance

the faintest light

and without a second thought

i ran to it

the light sat atop a sign

relief spread across my mind

until i was close enough to read

"only the dead are welcome here"

i rubbed my eyes and blinked them twice

sure the words had not been read right

i looked again and still so clear were the words

"only the dead are welcome here"

God this must be a joke?

i have to be dead to go any further?

this is why You brought me here?

to read a sign that does not apply?

He was still and silent as i ranted

He waited patiently till i was done

and then "it does apply." was all He said

i looked once more at the words on the sign

i thought and i thought and i thought

and then i understood

i must die to myself

"yes," He said. "you must."

"as the sign says,

only the dead are welcome."