[ACTIVATE SELF]

I thought you might like some feed on this. Considering the length of what you wrote I think it's safe to assume you put a decent amount of time into writing this verse. Thus, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

introduce the hobble walk...

Okay.

lost upon the leaves and twigs, far beyond the cobble top,
gravel ways and stoney paths,
death would ask directions like a scratch upon the phonograph,

"Cobble top" reads a little incomplete. I feel like you need to add the word road to it or something. But that's just me. On another note. I don't get the metaphorical correlation between "directions" and "phonograph".

Scholomance-y graduate,

I definitely had to Google search "Scholomance-y". I had no idea what or where that was. I'm glad I did though. Apparently, it's a fabled school of black magic that is run by the Devil in the World of Warcraft mythology. I've never played that game, but I think it's a really good reference to use and it fits perfectly within the context of your story.

author of the dying wish,
beasts of all were scared of Skull, from mighty bears to flying fish,
this, perhaps, the first that death had ever really felt alone

Is "Skull" his name? Also, if you're gonna personify death than the 'd' needs to be captialized to make the distinction between the concept and the physical embodiment of it.

"Author of the dying wish" is dope phraseology. I love it.

Death seems like he would be a lonely entity by virtue of his duty. But, perhaps my perspective is skewed. Maybe since something or someone somewhere is always dying Death is never truly alone. Instead, he/it is always greeting those that passaway. Interesting perspective. I like it.

where maps and compass magnets broke in searching where to go
so introduce the hobble walk...

I like the visual you've presented and how you've expressed the idea of this "lost" place via the adverse effects it has on navigational instruments. That's cool.

swinging to, and so afraid his skele-head would topple off

"Skele-head"? I don't like it.

the poorest Grim with nay the salt nor viscera to shed a tear

A "viscera" is an internal organ, right? I'm curious to find out what it's functionality has to do with crying.

but rather watch the birds a-flock with screaming squawks that "Death is near!"

I dig that.

barely even dead a year... yet rep, it seemed, preceded.
so hung a weary scythe and jaw as forest fiends retreated.
"the nerve" - thought I - my humble home disturbed,
"the nerve of troops, of broods and droves, of colonies and herds."
the poorest Grim! he needed only guidance out.
and this the kind of welcoming? the hissing of the frightened crowds?

So, Death somehow gets lost in a mysterious forest. The hobbled man comes along to help him find his way, but is embarrassed by the lack of hospitality the creatures of the land have shown Death -- whom are all terrified for obvious reasons. Got it. Love the concept.

My only qualm is that it's not clear who has been dead for half a year. It's surely not the Grim. That would be a complete contradiction of the concept he embodies and a huge paradox in and of itself. Death isn't alive. Therefore, how could he possibly die? So if it isn't Death that's dead, than who is it, the hobbled man? If so, he doesn't seem to know and the writing made no previous indications to suggest he was dead. Fuck! I'm confusing myself. I'll just keep reading.

I shook the beard and cleared the bits of lumber dust,fat wife
"at very least", I thought to me, "respect the ones that humble us."

Bruh...

That is fire. I love the imagery, the poetics, the wisdom and the wording.

"hello! ahem, I... worry not. I'm not afraid!"... I waddled on.
stumbled once, and tripping as he ran to me,
I felt at ease that death, of me, was really truly glad to see.

Grammatically your writing is fine. Rhythmically it could use some work. Things like "really truly" read much too wordy. Trim down the excess superlatives to give your lines a cleaner and more concise finish. This will help your rhymes roll off the tongue more smoothly.

"right away!... er, follow me!" I point along the path,
my liver spotted fingers grasp into his boney hands...

Nice imagery.

I told him all my plans. like, when I was a child,
I'd tell the trappers jokes, they wouldn't leave without a smile!
or, simple me at seventeen, how flustered by her laugh,
I sold my cow to buy her gifts in hopes to make it last.
we trod along like happy mice... whiskers to the breeze.
he asked me of the canopies and mysteries of trees
I told him all my secrets. my hobbies as a youth,
the reasons I had run away, and do what I can do,

"and do what I can do" reads fragmented and like broken English. Everything before it reads flawlessly.

to find the simple wonders... like cutting with a saw!
or, itching back against the stone that's covered with a moss,
honestly, I guess I shared an awful lot...

my mind, so full of memories, had finally wandered off.
the forest edge was closing in, I pointed him the way,
he motioned me to follow him... he wanted me to stay!

Dooooope!

I took his brittle hand in mine. I'm ready for a friend,
though even I, and hermit kind, knows everything must end,
I shared a quiet smile... for surely he would know,
the cloak, scythe and toothy grin that walked so many home...
oh. finally I realize - who of us was truly lost.
I hope my friend will visit me until my coffin rots.

Meh.

I like the ending. Cool twist. Foreseeable, but still cool. I do feel the last line could have been worded better. It didn't hit me. No impact at all. Also, I think -- but maybe I'm wrong -- "realize" should be past tense (i.g. realized).

So this was a mid-tier drop. You're an excellent storyteller. Your poetic phrasing and language is exceptional. Your imagination is wild. I loved your premise. The only thing that's holding this piece back is your mechanics. Some of your wording is awkward and there are spots that lack fluid pacing. If you tweak those areas this verse will be one for the books. You got skills, man. I sincerely look forward to reading your next drop. This one peaked my interest.