Elegy V For the death of Anthony R

Elegy V for the death of Anthony R

Anthony knew that he would fly

Though no-one had ever asked him to, he knew

If he jumped, that he would not die

For only he and a handful ever flew

He was assured, as if God had said

“Anthony! Leap where the weak are scared, and,

I will catch you in the wind”

So Anthony jumped, and the Devil grinned

Anthony’s body, moved, no more

For life had left him alone looking on, looking back

At his tatters just left on the floor

As they gathered him up in a sack

Now he lays in a grave, in yard nearby

And we visit him when we are near, not when we should

I ask him each time why he thought he could fly

And he answers “I did, it was good”