Never Again Poem by Ray Feasey

To drive through busy night town traffic
Through one way systems and bright lit streets
Ending at destination frazzled and tired at 9.15pm
Then night begins as hand not seen for years are shook again

Is it five years, actually its twelve our distant relative says
Can it be that long, how have you been, not bad the ‘ups and downs’
The kids have grown and were alone much happier now it seems
Do what we like, it’s our time now then talk of new ‘widescreen’

‘Oh busy life then’ we reply with no sarcasm intended
‘Always on the go’ they reply contradicting earlier rendering
‘How about you’ they ask, as watch is scanned in the hope times past
Just same as you it seems we say –any other reply would ruin their day

Calculated mingling is employed around the darkened hall
Can’t sit there it’s my friends from the coast- they drove here after all
We are told by the elder we tried to engage, did I tell you I’m 83?
Peer down on peer through lack of chair ‘well your good on it we see’

Hours to go before we leave, we won’t be long here will we?
Despite this fact we fail to act and stay the entire evening
Ancient disco music blares and assorted folk dance into chairs
Then as if on cue at the midnight hour the inaudible speech is made

As people unknown are thanked for help and some with special praise
Let’s just leave on the sly without drawn out goodbyes- their busy anyway
Passing through the door and the drunks drinking more we aim not to be rude
What a night it’s been, never again- not for 10 years at least we conclude!