Izzy Schwartz kept a list of things <br />he wanted to buy or do <br />which for various reasons never came to pass <br />and now because of his age,67, <br />his drinking his worries <br />not much time left for triumph. <br />One day he showed me the treasured inventory <br />and I bought him a pint of cherry liqueur <br />and he invited me to his room for a taste. <br />Faded, everything faded. <br />I didn’t mind the roaches <br />but everything washed out, pale. <br />“You think I got a chance? ” he asked <br />pointing to GET MARRIED at the top of the list <br />then: “But these modern women want a fella <br />with bedroom experience <br />but my noodle fell asleep years ago.” <br />“Clean up the place, ” the best I could muster. <br />“Mama scrubbed but she’s gone three years.” <br />“OK, ” I said softly. <br />“MAKE THREE CHILDREN.” <br />“Go on: ” <br />“BUY A CAR.” <br />“Easy enough, ” happy I could boost his spirits. <br />“I’m boozed out or got the shakes.” <br />“Cut down a bit.” <br />At that Izzy drained half the cherry liqueur <br />stared at me, finally saying, <br />“Without mama I’m finished.” <br />Suddenly the battalion of roaches advanced <br />towards the chicken bone on the floor near my foot <br />the last victory not in a skull <br />but elsewhere <br />without a hint of agony.<br /><br />Charles Chaim Wax<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/carried-off-by-the-current-and-drowned/
