Not Today

I encountered a man

the other day

Who smiled benignly

as he came my way

A familiar smile,

but much was wrong

The figure was weak,

but had been strong.

Where eyes had sparkled

hollow caverns lay.

As he got closer,

I whispered;

“Not Today”

I turned as we passed

And the corporeal figure

Dissipated in the mist

And I whispered again

“Not Today”

© Fergus Martin

May 2021