Constantine Pantazonis

Ikiru

misfortune teaches us the truth.
time passes, squandered
in forgotten moments, your children
grow before sleeping eyes
and when you wake
they won't recognize or even guess
what occupied you in your dreams.

decades pass in the cubicle -
neurotic flirtations with jane -
white bread in brown bag -
shredded memoranda -
punched in and out...

what will I do when death shakes my hand?
what will I say to my son?
the sunset looks beautiful tonight
I never noticed until now.