P oetry R epair S hop (1999.07: 079)
- CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL POETRY
- by new, emerging, and established poets

PÉTER ZILAHY
To Die in Socks

to die in socks
because the floor is cold
to snuggle into lukewarm
ankle socks
to end there
'tis a consummation
devoutly to be wished
because shoes are a prison
and there's too little time
to change into slippers
but to die in socks
feels so at home
to wake at dawn
start pulling them up
and die in the midst
of the familiar motion
to say - Gee, I'm dying now
in socks
and to step out
as if for a glass of water
from here on death
and not to sob



Poem copyright 1999; all rights reserved. (If you desire a copy of this poem, please contact the AUTHOR).