Akeith Walters crafts a haunting narrative of longing and loss. The poem is set in a dimly lit kitchen, where the speaker, with a bourbon in hand, is confronted by the spectral presence of a lover lost to time. As the figure's shadow stretches across the yard and the windowpane, the past and present blur, revealing the quiet, unnerving intimacy shared with this ghostly visitor. With vivid imagery and an atmosphere thick with melancholy, Walters explores the fine line between life and death, love and solitude, and the spaces where silence speaks louder than words. "Death Takes A Lover" is a poignant meditation on the shadows that linger long after the ones we love have left, and the yearning to hold onto something -- or someone -- just a moment longer.

Akeith Walters writes a raw and intimate portrayal of solitude and yearning. Set against the gritty backdrop of a city stoop, the poem captures a rare moment of quiet reflection as the speaker leans against the iron rail, a cigarette in hand and a warm beer by their side. The night is heavy with desire, and each exhaled breath of smoke becomes a silent call, drifting towards a lover five stories above. Through Walters' evocative imagery and poignant language, the poem explores themes of longing and the fleeting nature of connection, offering a glimpse into the quiet moments that punctuate a life lived on the edge. This haunting piece resonates with the ache of unfulfilled desire and the silent beats of a heart waiting in the dark.