Life's a Fraction of Time

Alone he stands at the edge of his time Turns around to survey all that has passed, Praised the Lord upon life’s highest mountain Cursed the devil down anxieties path. Presses rewind a conscious video Springs to life in rapid reverse, At the beginning his youth An urchin’s uncharted run, Those days clamped to the Innocence of boyhood fun. A different stance when school he did leave No teacher’s pet did he heed, Labelled useless to wear around his neck Then bedded in his mind never to forget. His parents true to a labourious class Seize the moment for payment back Fifteen years a comfort zone With so much expense on him blown He’s soon to learn life is just a loan. So, with pick and spade That glistened with sweat, He dug for humanity Buried many a decent soul, Some though he thinks to hell they would go. Yet within these episodes Of life and death Leads a path forced by consequence, To a far off land a family in tow Another beginning another hoe. From shop floor to management The road long and never straight, A journey flawed with ableism To earn dignity and respect. So in retirement and winter’s bite Common sense and summer’s long gone, Stage left has a role it’s in its prime With lawless street so full of crime, Where contours of opinions continue to shift And Armageddon to rise from a nonsensical rift. Alone he stands at the edge of his time Turns around to survey all that has passed, Praised the Lord upon life’s highest mountain Cursed the devil down anxieties path. © Harry J Horsman 2021