Ticke[te]d Off Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

TICKE[TE]D OFF
Cold urns, mold marbled busts, shelved, stored, inanimate
mock passion’s pyres unburned, fires shunned through puny life.
On Earth few still maintain their stay predestinate,
most, weak, betray themselves until the t[h]read of strife
is severed - only then, each finds it is too late,
trip taken only once is ended by Death’s knife.


7 November 1990 revised 22 December 2008 robi03_0355_robi03_0000 XXX_DZX

previous title “The Proper Study of Mankind” for previous version see below

“The Proper Study of Mankind”


These storied marble busts and urns inanimate
mock on where passions grate, avoided during life.
On Earth who still believes his stay predestinate?
Most, tenets true betray until the t(h) read of strife
is severed, - only then, each knows it is too late.
The trip is made but once, is ended by Death’s knife.


7 November 1990