Hello, I Must Be Going

Really nice meeting you, sorry,

I have to hurry off there’s this thing

happening, this thing I must do.

You too, yes, dying is the thing

everyone is not talking about it.

Why ruin karaoke night, why discolor

the air between you and the bartender?

Hello what can I get for you?

it’s miraculous we’re here and then

the world is yanked from us and then

time dismantles our bodies to dust.

Okay, um can I help the next customer?

see it would be awkward

let’s not bring it up, mum’s the word

come on now we’ve still got

some living to do pick up that trumpet.

I’ve got mine already never mind

we can’t play any instruments

the point is to make a sound

any sound in this endless parade

shimmering towards silence.