Farewell To All That (3)

FAREWELL TO ALL THAT (3)

I stared at the Priestess in horror:

'You're missing the point; I'm packing it in. The mores of society drive me insane. Where's the gain in a system that lies through its teeth; that thrives on bad faith and on misplaced belief?'

'There's no need to bellow,' boomed the Priestess.

I continued (this time, in verse),

'I will not come and live here.
I really can't stand
The role of devotion;
To jump on demand.
The faithful companion;
It's not in my blood.
I have no loving instinct.
(Perhaps, I'm a dud?)
But, I'm sure I'm not willing
To give up my life.
I could've got married,
Become a good wife.
No, it's not in my nature
To nurture and care. . . '

'You will die sad and lonely. Of that, please, beware.'

Farewell To All that (2)

FAREWELL TO ALL THAT (2)

'Well, 'ello there my Dearie. A long time, no see. . . I hear you've been shifting. Now, have you missed me?

'Oh, I've thought of you, longed for you, prayed every night that you'd find your way home and then all would be right.'

The Priestess elbowed her way passed the group of disadvantaged children and support workers, and pressed her fleshy jowls against my cheek.

'I've just sold my house,' I muttered.

'And . . . I know how that's stressful, indeed, I've heard said it's as bad as divorce and interring the dead. Yes, I know what they say; there's not much in this life worse than moving and grieving and dumping the wife.'

'I quit work, too.'

'Ah! now that my Sweet Pea is just stupidity. How on earth will you earn your own crust?'

She looked pensive for a moment.

'Ha! I've got it, of course. (I am quite the gift-horse). You can work for me, Darling. A must.'

Farewell To All That

FAREWELL TO ALL THAT

Now then . . .

I endured
Bloody Hell
But it all turned out
Well.

(Was Mnemosyne gave me the key. . . )

I had languished the summer
Alone on my own.
Had painted the kitchen.
(Must unplug the phone.)

It was written in whitewash;
The walls said it all.
There was nobody here but me.
As I stared at the plaster-cast ear,

I decided to quit,
Farewell to all that;
To the things
One's supposed to hold dear.