A pensioner observes the second coming
I’m doing what has to be done.
I’m sitting alone in the park
enjoying the warmth of the sun
as it tranquilly wanes. After dark
I’ll make soup for one and I’ll read
in bed. On a sycamore’s bark
a squirrel is poised with its need
to freeze or to flee in the scales
of the moment. I wait for the deed
which will quicken the wind in its sails.
A toddler - his mother calls ‘Ben!’ -
runs ahead of a pushchair. He fails
to frighten the rodent. Just then
the sky fills with angels who frame
a gigantic Jesus. Amen
the world seems to chorus. Your fame
goes before you. Of course, he’s not near,
he’s many miles up. I became
a Christian way back so don’t fear
judgement or ending in hell.
In fact, I’m quite glad that he’s here.
I could do with a change. The far swell
of the heavenly voices is fine
and as pure as the Angelus bell.
* * *
Two paramedics align
him beside the low stretcher, and lift.
The ambulance swallows him. Nine
sounds from the Town Hall clock. Swift
and cheerful, they porter him to
the hospital morgue. Now a drift
of autumnal leaves and a few
stars can be seen in the park
but the squirrel has vanished. The coup
was bloodless and left not a mark.
Page(s) 30
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