Fantasia Iii Poem by robert dickerson

'Ignore you indeed, said Death, straightening and marking
Antonio, whom he followed home. He learned his address
pilfered his messages, memorized his ID card,
climbed through his window, and when Antonio saw him
like that he was so filled with dread he had an MI,

and died in bed. It was three days before anybody missed him
and then, when the rent was due, the landlord pounded on the door.
No reply. 'Conyo', he swore. Finally they broke the lock.
Three flies walzed from his mouth and settled expertly on the pane
The landlord snatched the rent and called the nearest kin.

'Basta' said Senor Death, spitting, sitting on the roof
watching them leave. 'What an insult! The very idea'.
I am a fair, a democratic soul-all I attend the same.
Then, checking his watch, exclaimed 'Ay, I must be off''.
and left satisfied that he had cleared his name.