To
a Certain Person If one day
I should find myself in pain,
In a predicament or in distress,
There’s
something you can do for me: refrain
From digging out my number and address.
Don’t send your sympathy or kind regards.
Don’t send your cash (as if you
ever would),
Nor are your presents, telegrams and cards
Evidence that
you wish me all things good.
You will profess to want to help. Then do
–
A burst of honesty might make me smile.
Tell me that you believe I’m
overdue
This, if not even more severe a trial.
Indulge yourself: applaud,
rejoice, enthuse
And maybe soon I’ll have some more bad news.
from
First of
the Last Chances
| 
