The Exciting Life and Lonely Death

It was a two-character,
One-act drama, with a bit
Of comedy, at least wit,
To leaven in the oven.
The audience, easily
Preferring exciting life
Over lonely death, was tricked

As to who was the lead, who
Was the understudy. Death,
Not the usual cartoon,
Was a shy boy with a job
To do that could only be
Done alone. Life ricocheted
Around the stage. Those who watched. . . .