Poolside Blues

Poolside Blues

We are the lucky ones

At least we know

And daily thank our lucky stars

To have been born mid century 

In a country far apart

From famine and from war. 

We sit in contented groups

Around the poolside bar 

And drink the local wine

While trying all the while 

Not to ponder or to think 

How life might be

A half a century from now. 

We are a generation 

No better and no worse 

Than those who came before 

Or those who follow us behind;

But find ourselves with matches

To burn the city down. 

At times like Nero we fiddle and we pray

That the fire we once started might go away. 

At times we simply toast some bread

And guiltily eat and drink  

While watching Rome go up in flames. 

Down by the poolside bar they’re calling time

And old grey heads drink up 

Uncertain what the night might bring

Or the legacy we’ve left behind. 

Ave,Imperator, morituri te salutant...