Climbing his bike, he is aware of tiredness
But the table is laid and he must hurry to feast
Lighter now by 5 kilos but still, he wants lower
Pedaling faster, the wind sings in his ears
Closer and closer the rolling sound comes swooshing
There's a pop and all becomes still in his head.
Look a bird drops from the sky, falling in smithereens
The tree before him looks scraggly, oddly shaped
Its skeleton fingers reaches out begging for mercy
Slowly it crumples as one liquid, spilling guts
Into pavement, a dull grey matching the sky
A dull light flashes in his brain, warning danger.
His grip on the bicycle relaxes, realizing the steel
Has molten into soft rubber, a salty taste in his mouth
Makes him know warm blood has flowed to his jaws -
He has fallen down from bike to pavement instantly
Where are his feet, his hands, what has become of face?
Madly, maddeningly, all seems molten into nothingness.
Just this morning he said hi, the room responded as one
Today and forever, he has planned on living the same
But yet, there's a quiver in the air and among leaves
One by one, they seem to detach, and quickly swept away
Should this morning be the end of days, how will it be?
Should this morning extend to oblivion, when is eternity?
Doris Cornago
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-is-eternity/
