I awoke and wiped moon dust from my eyes.
Kissed an ancient tabby cat in the morning light.
The sun found the slats in between his lives.
Nine A.M I gathered just enough ambition.
To peel an orange and crack an egg.
Went outside to water withering pansy faces.
They whispered to me that I was very late.
It hadn't rained for 9 1/2 days.
When I was young, they spoke of another ice age.
Now they say the planets are quickly burning away.
Who are "the they" anyway?
I stared into the mailbox's mouth.
It's going to be a fine day. No bills popped out.
I waved to the gray-faced neighbor.
He arthritically waved back.
He's got one foot in the grave.
I'm amused by his smiling butt crack.
I went back inside just before I burned.
Rid the house of egg bits and cat turds.
Tabby tap-danced around my grey turkey legs.
It was about time for an old man's nap.
Dreaming of tabby cats, nuclear annihilation
and a red-haired siren that never came back.
He starred in 'Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt' as a man named Clive.
All of his fans were very sad because he was not able to survive.
When you get right down to it, Richard was a very talented man.
He starred in 'Doctor Who' as Burton and in 'Bottle Boys' as Stan.
He starred in 'One Foot In The Grave', 'Fawlty Towers' and 'The Bill.
Millions loved this Welsh actor's performances because he had skill.
If you're wondering if he will ever be forgotten, the answer is No.
Many people were heartbroken when Richard died ten years ago.
[Dedicated to Richard Davies (1926-2015) who died on October 8, 2015]
death's stood in the doorway
but i'm no good with words
so my pleas for mercy
come in the form of
fresh bandages on old wounds
and plastering my vices on greeting cards
though the reaper argues
that if there was any value
in a butterfly whose wings
are pinned to a corkboard
or a soul with one foot in the grave
and the other being fed to wolves
he'd carry his mercy in spades
You starred in "The Visitation" which was an episode of Doctor Who.
Your life ended thirty years ago today on December the 11th of 1992.
You died two weeks before Christmas Day.
You were sixty-two when you passed away.
You were a very talented British actor but your death ended your career.
Time sure does fly, it doesn't seem like you've been dead for thirty years.
You starred in every season of "On The Buses" except for the final season.
I don't know why you decided to quit but you must have had a good reason.
You guest-starred in "One Foot In The Grave" and "Turn Out The Lights".
You also guest-starred in "The Count Of Monte Cristo" and "First Night".
You chose not to be buried, you were cremated.
When you died, all of your fans were devastated.
You died thirty years ago today and your wife died on December the 7th of 2011.
You entertained people for many years and then you went to Heaven.
[Dedicated to Michael Robbins (1930-1992) who died on December 11, 1992]
I almost died the other day
but fate said to wait for another day
I was walking along & the world looked surreal
Not imagining that it was really real.
I felt like there was a better place -
space around me sinking to my pace.
Concrete & houses looked like a stage
A place where people rant and rage.
As I was walking I felt at peace
and almost felt my soul release.
I pondered a moment on letting go
and decided to instead pick up the phone.
I dialed my children my mother and grandma.
None of them answered what could have been my last call.
My daughter finally harkened just in time
but a beep interrupted & fate was on the line.
They said my test was critically off,
hurry to the ER or my life would be lost.
I was admitted and my life was then saved
divine intervention removed one foot from the grave
Told my girlfriend ‘I’m halfway there’
She figured I was thirty-five…
After she’d done up and married me
I told her I’ve one foot in the grave
~ yet still alive
Agonizing hours blend int days,
Morning, noon, and night;
Trivial things, mere details,
Who spends time thinking about
What means nothing to you?
Poisonous clouds infect the air,
Invading and corroding every
Nearby surface, leaving no mistake
Of poisons that come in waves,
Through tunnels and into dark caverns
Stabbing the brain with a bitter, twisted knife.
Through adjustable chambers that
Penetrate and deliver their unholy burden,
Waves of agony and ecstasy burst forth
Drawing another sheep into the fold.
Through turbulent and raging winds,
Passed through beads of glass,
Shrouds of tender death
Freezing all life it meets into dust.
Two shades left of alive
With one foot in the grave
Staggering up and over again
To keep the fire burning still.
A mind encased by fetters,
A body crippled and broken
Keeping the wheel spinning
Without ever slowing down.
I was asked to write a poem
About when I’d grow old…..
But really that’s the joke,
For I already am, old and terribly cold.
And looking back I realize
How time has passed me by.
It’s like a flower really,
It forms buds, blooms, and dries,
And then eventually each dies.
I always joke to find some remedy,
I’ve just got one foot in the grave.
With apologies the famous comedy,
Which gave me so much fun.
But seriously now that I am old,
And lost most of my family too,
I can only ponder on the bloom
That will soon wither and stew.
Still, that’s not exactly true.
For I truly believe that life
Is but a passage over a bridge.
From this life to a better one we strive.
Hopefully…..
Intervals
We live our life,
one foot in the grave.
There are many dangers
please try to be brave.
Fear dwells in the shadows,
proceed with care.
Live life to the fullest,
but only if you dare.
All life on Earth,
will one day perish.
Focus on today,
each moment please cherish.
Yesterday has passed,
tomorrow may not arrive.
Today is right now,
Live like you’re alive.
3/31/2021
Writing Prompt – Cherish – Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Old overworked aged heart,
Beating bravely without stopping;
Controlling carefully the rhythm of life,
The terminally ill man holding on dearly,
Amid an attack which can end in tears.
Weeping wife beside his bed,
Holding his hands tightly;
Wearily waiting the bad news.
I'm one quarter whiskey
I'm a quarter heartache
One half a man
With a splash of mistakes
My lifes on the rocks
As I drown in the rye
There's a mountain of memories
Still locked up inside
Life on the rocks
One foot in the grave
Sold my soul to the devil
And he gave me change
I've fought with my demons
But my souls been lost
That's how I'm living
Life on the rocks
My eyes are bloodshot when sober
And the yellow's set in
The names on the bottles
Are my only friends
My wife has long left me
Now I'm paying the cost
For living this life, as if it's in spite
Of my life on the rocks
Life on the rocks
One foot in the grave
Sold my soul to the devil
And he gave me change
I've fought with my demons
But my souls been lost
That's how I've been living, there is no forgiving
Living life on the rocks
This vice I ain't quittin'
Cause this life ain't worth livin'
Life on the rocks
space-time serves a purpose
being that, said 'space' is predetermined but,
it is dimensions of the fourth that matter
from depths to surface; a return from hell
(...till late at night that which mattered
would be broken, smote, and shattered
oers't my chamber floor, and
nothing more...)
now in the sun
i see
what it 'means'
to be free
(...uh! space-time
determined,
and, there-by
vermin...)
space changes,
it is a measure,
of time,
time rules
(the being
...time-space
...ah...
the god)
in time-space
now i find a way, andt
enjoy each and every second
of each and every day
(...i'm stll here
...never stray
...one foot in the grave
and eventually on my way)
Picture a man and a woman naked side by side,
chains wrapped loosely around their necks
attached not to each other, but to the familiar horned beast that towers over them.
To others it appears obvious they could easily abdicate, however the couple does not view the same landscape
They stay comfortably bound to the monster they recognize
what may come to their surprise
they are their own adversary and their own allies
rather than escaping habit they CHOOSE to stay enslaved
not living but surviving, one foot in the grave.
Its not that they are unable ,they know they can be free
they are just so accustomed to not being able to breathe.
They are hoping that they can illustrate their own reality,
create their own light, dreaming of freedom
whilst still believing the chains are skin tight.
HAZARD ON THE STREET
She really shouldn’t drive
That old person hair so white
She doesn’t know what to do
Such a sad pathetic sight!
Car horns blow behind her
She hears a man rant and rave,
“You shouldn’t be out driving,
You’ve got one foot in the grave”
I see why she’s annoying
She seemed so dangerous too.
Wonder does she live alone,
Does she have a me or you?
Perhaps doesn’t have a choice
When to Doctor she must go.
Before you condemn old soul
Think of elderly you know.
Glance her way once again
Put yourself in her sad seat.
One day we too may become
An old Hazard on the Street!
Barbara Barry-Nishanian
March 2003. copyright
Life, is it really worth living for ?
I did not know until God opened the door
And there he was in the shape of a big, bright, spiritual light,
He said, Son, believeth in me and everything shall be alright
So every morning I get down on my knees and pray:
God, please let me have another clean and sober day !
Though I often have thoughts of suicide
And tell the Lord: oh, how hard I've tried
Then I asked him for a way out of this bind;
With a silent voice, he answered: my son, one day at a time
Before I called upon him I had one foot in the grave;
but like he told me, believeth in him an thou shalt be saved
When my mind and nerves become idle,
I become secluded and read the bible
So now I am saved and will always wear his sign
And will never forget the blessing he placed in mind !
Now that I've found myself and my goal
With dignity and pride I can shout out, no !
No one wants to be a drug or suicidal fanatic;
So remember, that's life through the eyes of an addict !
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