Poem: I Looked Away

Wouldn't it be great if it was as easy as just looking away when Death taps us on the shoulder? Rather a cryptic chap.

I Looked Away A tap on my shoulder Excuse me?     I’m death I beg your pardon     Not necessary, I’m death     It’s time Surely, you’ve made some mistake     No mistake, it’s time You must have the wrong address     No But, I’ve made no preparation     No one ever does Perhaps next week     It’s time But, you’ve made no appointment     Never do Didn’t even knock     Never do First a letter, not so much to ask     Should have written last week But I didn’t know     That’s what they all say I suppose you’ve heard it all     Heard it all So, where are we going?     Can’t say, it’s not allowed You seem so ordinary     Death is always ordinary Have we met before?     Several times, you looked away

This poem is included in Jim Freeman's poetry collection THE SMELL OF TWEED AND TOBACCO available here in print or as an e-Book in your favorite formats.