You took your time to die Grandfather,
a ninth grand child Predicted without guile
Your hitting a century
Pension long exceeded
Years of service, so
Careful to wear flannel
Next to skin and the
Waterbury 's compound dripping
From the side of your mouth
like blood, with firm hand
You made your will anew
Every time a SOI1 fell
Out of favour •••••
Mumbling slokas after
Bath as you combed your
Ring of thatch around
Polished skull before
Mirror ringed by cherubs
Plump, well fed.
Stared truculently at twilight
At passersby generations
below you, beyond
Fences you had built yourself
For a saucer of milk
The cat withstood your monologues
Geckoes screamed at night
Behind the picture frame
Of your dead wife
You took your time
To die, grandfather.