Famous People

(after the manner of Paul Simon)

I imagine sometimes I am talking with

all the famous people who ever lived

just like a friend, imagine that,

just like a friend

in need of no autograph no evidence of the trial

no road map of the places they had been

needing no smile no awkward hand up

no name to drop or to look up

just a friend

and I would say what is it you intend

you intended after all

or should we read the writing on the wall

did you get to the point

when you wanted to leave the joint

when you wished that you could sail

or even ride the rail

somewhere where no one

wanted a shred of you.

did you long to be buried under the sod;

did you ever cry out to God.

mary angela douglas 25 march 2021