The Usher

 

"Good morning, good morning," the Usher said,

As he made his way down the line.

“Take a seat, my friend,

You’re here in good time;

Take a deep breath,

do try to unwind”

 

As you sink into the padded blue seat, you stare ahead

At the giant grey curtains, a gap where they meet

They slowly part to reveal a screen

The largest and best you have ever seen.

Slow music is piped into the room,

As the screen lights up to reveal a tiny being

Face crunched, fists clenched, it lets out a howl,

A tiny powerhouse, complete with a scowl

 

“I’ve been waiting for you”, the Usher reveals,

As your eyes remain fixed on the screen

 

The movie scrolls quickly, a montage of sights;

People encountered and countries you’ve been,

A school gate, a factory, a house with three kids,

A parade of the exes,

Everything you did;

 

The kindness, the friendships, the work colleagues too,

Holidays, high days, trips to the zoo,

The phone calls that you forgot to make,

The everyday actions you chose to take,

The hugs, the embraces, the arguments too,

The things you did in public view,

(plus all the things you thought nobody knew).

 

“Enjoy!”, says the Usher with a wry smile,

“Your years have been lived in your own unique style,

You came to me quickly, taken calmly in sleep,

And now we must watch your showreel so that we may see

If you get to leave here through the pearly front door

Or whether you remain here

Forever more”.