Take Five Poem by GRANT FRASER

A stranger
in the pub,
last night
sat at my table,
said he wasn't able,
to act any more...

was finished with living,
girlfriend had left him
wanted to die
offered me a pint
to see if I'd join him,
I bought us one each instead,

then he wanted money,
it wasn't funny,
no longer the same guy?

I felt sorry, unhappy about
how we think it is
so important, capital
all the clap trap,

take five I say,
six he sez!
can I take it all,

I say take...

and he swipes it up,
then heads for the door,
grinning,
walk, walk, walk, away,
keep going...
there is no plot,

as if the fool had landed,

but I am a fool, anyway,
his pretence though, this urge
to get anything out
of humans is bad, news,

the people at tables looked on.
could sense it all,

I thought he might reappear,
as I wanted something different
to happen, for a change...

that's why I did it like I did,

hoping that something spleet
new might enfold me,

and change the bad perceptions
I often have, and do not want....