Izzy Schwartz kept a list of things
he wanted to buy or do
which for various reasons never came to pass
and now because of his age,67,
his drinking his worries
not much time left for triumph.
One day he showed me the treasured inventory
and I bought him a pint of cherry liqueur
and he invited me to his room for a taste.
Faded, everything faded.
I didn’t mind the roaches
but everything washed out, pale.
“You think I got a chance? ” he asked
pointing to GET MARRIED at the top of the list
then: “But these modern women want a fella
with bedroom experience
but my noodle fell asleep years ago.”
“Clean up the place, ” the best I could muster.
“Mama scrubbed but she’s gone three years.”
“OK, ” I said softly.
“MAKE THREE CHILDREN.”
“Go on: ”
“BUY A CAR.”
“Easy enough, ” happy I could boost his spirits.
“I’m boozed out or got the shakes.”
“Cut down a bit.”
At that Izzy drained half the cherry liqueur
stared at me, finally saying,
“Without mama I’m finished.”
Suddenly the battalion of roaches advanced
towards the chicken bone on the floor near my foot
the last victory not in a skull
but elsewhere
without a hint of agony.
Charles Chaim Wax
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/carried-off-by-the-current-and-drowned/
