Steven Blyth
Least
My grandma died when she was ninety-one.
Terry at work made an attempt at consolation –
“At least she had a good innings.
I’d sign a contract for that.” I started imagining
A dotted line that guaranteed
Nothing that smacked of Faustian greed
But instead a list of life’s grateful “at leasts”.
Things like having your health, a marriage that lasts,
Kids who do well at school, enough money to get by,
To know for certain that when you failed you gave it your best try...
Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beelzeboul & Co, Solicitors.
“Sign here”. You sweat in one of their red leather chairs,
Nervously eyeing the paper weight – a pickled soul.
Don’t worry. When – nine years from your century – you’re bowled
It’ll be as if you slipped in the clause “last laugh”.
You’ll leave them empty-handed. What else after that kind of life?
Page(s) 74
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