The Grave

My stepson has complained to me

That death, and nothing but this theme

Is the recurring one in all

My verses.

I do agree.

Firstly it is a legally prescribed

Condition that entry in this home

Depends upon the applicant to have agreed

Upon the service, grave site and so on.

That shall apply

In case of need.

Not only did I cheerfully comply

But also (and this is the second reason)

I do not fear my death, because I will

See her again, kiss her again, for ever

And ever more.

Doctor

15 October 2012

My doctor’s age is less than mine

By thirty years and more.

I do recall when he grew up

He thought I was a bore.

Indeed I have experienced

What every man has sought,

Yet it is he who at my grave

Will say: “He never talked!”

Forgiveness

14 October 2012

There is a gross disparity

Between my present life and how

I lived before.

My school years echo with injunctions:

“You must do well! You must be trained

To fight to live!”

13 October 2012

13 October 2012

He died and did not know he did.

He walked more slowly, stumbling, swearing.

The right side of his body shrunk

He used his left to reach the ground;

But in the mirror, pink and tanned,

I saw the face that would not die.

Flash

8 September 2012

Put briefly and succinctly –

I am not used to being old.

Then could this be the reason for

My writing verses to uncover

Prosaic truth?

Forty... forty-five,,,

10 March 2012

Of all the faculties and skills

And talents that I once possessed…

I can still dream;

And in my dreams I am not old.

I may be forty, forty-five,

All systems go.

I have retained the impetus

Of youth, the desperate drive to kiss

And force and yield.

But waking I can only ponder

About the women that I know

And cannot bed.

Answering Machine

30 March 2012

I have an answering machine that can

Respond to any phone call when I’m out;

I am connected to the internet

To browse the news whatever it’s about.

And on the hour every radio speaks

About who did, or didn’t, or may still

Act foolishly or wisely: watch the till

Or take the lot and run.