Fate's Footfalls
At tables scattered round the bar
they hug their drinks and wait,
to see whose empty chair is next,
who's visited by fate.
They listen for the footfalls
which for them will surely come
to take them on the last journey,
slow, maybe quick for some.
The widowed and the broken hearts,
divorced and cast adrift,
all qualify, their day draws near
with every glass they lift.
They treat each draught with reverence,
each day a hole to fill,
from footfalls try to run away,
they run, while sitting still.
The news comes through by word of mouth,
another comrade downed,
the footfalls wash out like the tide,
one more lies in the ground.
A brief respite, still sleepless nights
'till footfalls come again
when fate returns to reap harvests
of lonely single men.
No lessons learned, through khaki eyes
of hopelessness and pain
they sit and wait for footfalls
listen-
here they come again
For Chris, Jenko and Dave- rest in peace. Sadly, you will have company soon.
Contest ' Fate's footfalls', sponsor John Lawless
March 5th 2018
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