Once Upon a Death

Once upon a romance in the crackle of a record
I listened for the faces but
saw – only gaps and spaces.
I rubbed my eyes in wonder,
afraid to snuggle under just in case I felt the touch of Mr Death.

Once upon a headache on a carousel of jesters
I looked through ancient rubric but
it tasted stale and toxic.
I rolled my tongue and spat it
afraid the highs of low-life habits would attract old Mr. Death.

Once upon a question mark that hung below my belt
I felt for tempting morsels but
heard – sacrilegious quarrels.
I tired of pointless oiling
afraid I would recoil into a sacrificial war-dance with Mr Death

Once upon a sunset in the early hours of wartime
I waited for a Godot but
what left, was my Uncle Tom’s tomorrow.
I raised rebellion in uncertainty
afraid I’d miss the opportunity of victory over life and Mr Death.

Once upon a stop light with its pristine premonitions
I hungered for exemplars but
was sickened by their memoirs.
I surrendered absurd warring
afraid of rash outpourings when confessing at the door of Mr Death

Once upon a deathbed after a life of certain doubting
I loved for years in just one second, but
what I hated were the lessons.
I harboured all my learnings
afraid my abject yearnings were for fireside chats with Mr. Death

Once upon an ending with its final crashing chord
I served for our equality but
what they ate was just iced fury.
I marinated thoughts half-hearted
afraid I was just started on the holy road to glory with Mr Death.

Once upon a time, late in the afternoon of a chilling white day…