What If It Were True? Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

Hector, Ajax and Hercules
and other heroes such as these.
All suffered from the same disease.
They thought they were invincible.

Now every one of them is dead.
I know this from the books I’ve read.
Unlike my ancient Uncle Fred.
Who thought it might be possible.

To find a way to stay alive
a certain method to survive
Towards this end then he would strive
Although it seemed improbable.

A coward too afraid to die.
Although he was clever guy
well versed in ancient history.
He thought he could be comfortable.

If he could find a vampire who
he thought could be persuaded to
make him into a vampire too
and grant him immortality.

I half believed when I was small
My uncle often came to call
but always late after night fall.
Which made me feel uncomfortable.


But now I take a different view.
I don’t believe his tales were true
Nor do I think my siblings do.
I think it is impossible.

By bright sunlight I am certain
but after dark I think again.
What if my uncle Fred did gain
his wish for immortality.

I hoped that he was telling lies
and so it came as no surprise.
To find one single rule applies.
Vampires do not seek publicity.

Real vampires do not advertise
They consider it’s not wise.
Although my uncle really tries
his stories cannot convince me.

I know my uncle’s very old.
And that he cannot stand the cold.
From stories that my parents told
concerning his longevity.


My father says he will not die
My mother says that’s all my eye.
But still I wonder sometimes why.
He’s lived so long. It seems to me.

Just possible he’s told the truth.
The secret of eternal youth
springs from some ancient vampires tooth.
The bite of immortality.

I know that in reality
vampires are just a fantasy.
That people can live naturally.
Far longer than seems possible.

No body knows the reason why.
Examined scientifically.
It seems that everyone must die.
No one can live eternally.

But Uncle Fred refuses to.
I can’t believe his tales are true.
He sleeps all day as vampires do.
at his age it’s permissible.

I tell myself it makes no sense
for Fred to keep up this pretense.
I have to do in self defence.
I find it much preferable.

To believing Uncle Fred
Is exactly as he said
A member of the living dead.
That would be truly terrible.

18/08/2009
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