spread_24

Prepare Yourself

For Monica Kelly

I was walking my dog all alone

when I saw Mrs. Jones up ahead.

“I heard about what happened,” she called,

“Buy a new ring and soon you’ll be wed.”

But she was the love of my life, I moaned:

and she’s marrying the department head.

“So woo some other young girl!” she replied.

“Fools rush in where angels won’t tread!”

Except I was fired by phone -

I've been living on wonder-bread.

“Well it’s high time you chase your dreams,

my boy, and start your own rock band instead!”

But my house got struck by a cyclone

and all I have left is a bed!

At this Mrs. Jones raised one eyebrow,

then giggled and turned apple-red.

And also, my tumor has grown…

She shrugged while a fresh tear I shed.

The prognosis is less than one week, I moaned,

unable to conceal my dread.

She talked to my dog while I groaned:

“There’s surely a bright side to being dead.”

That dog is almost fourteen, I remarked.

“Best prepare yourself,” she said.