James Tate on Witnesses

by dedalus 1 Replies latest social entertainment

  • dedalus
    dedalus

    A good poem by one of my favorite living poets. I posted this once before -- worth posting again. Any opinions about it? / Dedalus

    A KNOCK ON THE DOOR

    They ask me if I've ever thought
    about the end of the world,
    and I say, "Come in, come in,
    let me give you some lunch, for God's sake."
    After a few bites it's the afterlife
    they want to talk about. "Ouch," I say,
    "did you see that grape leaf skeletonizer?"
    Then they're talking about redemption
    and the chosen few sitting right by His side.
    "Doing what?" I ask. "Just sitting?"
    I am surrounded by burned up zombies.
    "Let's have some lemon chiffon pie
    I bought yesterday at the 3 Dog Bakery."
    But they want to talk about my soul.
    I'm getting drowsy and see butterflies
    everywhere. "Would you gentlemen
    like to take a nap, I know I would."
    They stand and back away from me,
    out the door, walking toward my neighbors,
    a black cloud over their heads
    and they see nothing without end.

  • joelbear
    joelbear

    Once your ability to enjoy the simple things of life is turned off or worse, warped, all you can think about is "the end". You stop thinking about the possibility of changing your mind set so you can enjoy "the now".

    Joel

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