If you die a hero,
you are still dead.
If you die a coward,
you are still dead.
If you die being noble,
you are still dead.
If you die being evil,
you are still dead.

If you die doing good,
they put you in a grave.
If you die in prison,
they put you in a grave.
If you die in a fight,
they put you in a grave.
If you die proving a point,
they put you in a grave.

If you die for your religion,
they take you 6 feet under.
If you die under submission,
they take you 6 feet under.
If you die fighting a fire,
they take you 6 feet under.
If you die getting older,
they take you 6 feet under.

Take your next breath,
it's one closer to death.
Take your next breath
it's one closer to death.
Take your next breath,
it's one closer to death.
Take your next breath,
it's one closer to death.

01/28/2002

Author's Note: I remember, after submitting this, re-reading it, as I'm sure many people here do with their own poems. This almost makes me feel physically nausiated. That takes some skill. The few comments I have gotten on this poem suggests very strong reader input, more along the lines of 'What the **** is this!' It would only make since to put it under 'Dark Poetry'.

Posted on 01/28/2002
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