A Passing Man

By Cliff Lake

 

A Passing Man

 

 

He had lived a full life –

Full of deceit,

And bullying,

And wealth obtained by foul deed.

He had been important to many,

Especially to those he’d lied to.

He had made countless acquaintances,

Few friends,

And many enemies.

He had given decrees,

Orders,

Exhortations,

And demanded much.

He had received accolades and flattery.

He had been given gifts of rare hue and quality,

He was allowed much latitude.

He’d had children,

And ex-wives,

And many accusations.

He had lived.

Now, he had died.

Announcements were made on television.

Obituaries were printed in newspapers.

Theories were propounded on the Internet.

Arrangements were made,

Long planned and extravagant.

Dignitaries were notified of their requirement,

Relations were flown in at great expense.

Poems were requested to be written,

Eulogies were solicited.

Floral arrangements were bought in quantity,

Music stars petitioned and transported at state outlay.

Clergy arrived in numbers,

To bless a sinner in hopes of some redemption.

A great event was enacted,

With horse-drawn carriage and many pontifications.

But he didn’t hear the speeches,

And he didn’t see the flowers,

And he didn’t offer comfort to those he had left behind.

He just lay in his coffin,

And remained dead.

 

The end.

 

Cliff Lake 2/16/2023

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2023

Location: Dalton, MA, USA

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