Crocodile Tears

Today's poem first sprang to life when I asked a friend how he was, he replied “Well I'm still looking at the grass from the right side up” This evening I remembered the story of my dad's grandad who had been ill and one day relatives who rarely bothered with him, turned up with the idea of paying their respects to the dying man and probably weighing up if there was anything worth laying claim to once he'd gone! He opened the door and said “I'm still alive,so you can put away your insurance policies and …......” go away! So this is dedicated to him.

Crocodile Tears

I'm looking at the grass from the right side up

There's life in the old dog still

Not ready for pushing up daisies

Or the making of my will.

No need to stop the chiming clocks

Or draw the curtains tight

Despite the medics best attempts

I'm putting up a fight.

Don't go searching out the policies

Insurance cash to share

The death certificate don't exist

So there's nothing for you there.

Get your hands off all my jewellery

All the gems you hope I've left

For whilst the living still draw breath

I'm afraid it's known as theft.

You can put your black suit back in mothballs

And stick your sympathy

For when you felt I'd live a while

You spared no thought for me.

Be off with you who feign distress

with crocodile tears

I've news for you dear relatives

I plan to live for years!

Karen Holmes

November 10^th 2010