warn us when they fall? Not a hint.
Not a star-wink. They are even too lazy
to shine when we are most awake. Creatures
of Night they are probably up to amoral
purposes. You can't trust a star, that's sure.
So when the greenfly is in the rose
and the dragonfly drops its shadow in the river,
when the axe hides in the tree with its listening
shriek and clouds gag the starlight
with gray handkerchiefs- I contend, Sir,
that we should pity them no more,
but concern ourselves with more natural things.
Dannie Abse
DEATH OF A JAZZ MUSICIAN
I dreamed that when I died a jukebox played,
And in the metal slots bright coins were laid;
Coins on both my eyes lay cold and bright
As
the boatman ferried my thin shade into the night.
I dreamed a jukebox played. I saw the flame
Leap from a whirling disk which bore my name,
Felt fire like music sweep the icy ground-
And forward still the boatman moved, and made no sound.
William Jay Smith
