Preparedness

Preparedness

You just know that it's coming
It's those little hints
Old dreams re-appearing
Nightmares sharp as flints
Assume a measured remoteness
As though it's all in the past
Quick peripheral glimpses
But they're moving too fast
You're more receptive than usual
To ideas you once weren't
Re-consider the unacceptable
And reassess all you learnt
Meanwhile as though cocooning
Pause head cocked, wait a mo
Then continue life's rituals
With the clock set to slow
Each dream more revealing
Yet still obscured by light clouds
In drift friends long forgotten
Smiling colourless shrouds
Not frightened; more acceptance
Not fearing the "soon"
Part of you quietly sitting
In the waiting room
Senses stripping mist from
Your recent feelings and dreams
Old actions remembered
Familiar old scenes
But you can't tell a soul
You can't put it in words
Almost unconscious it sits there
As unnoticed as birds
Gradually withdrawing daily
From the public who throng
Performing their duties
To the birds morning song
You just know that it's coming
You're being prepared
By genetic programming
So blind panic you're spared
In silent communion
The sun on glass tints
Quietly reflective
Re-examine your stint
No sound from the garden
Silent house full sunlit
The hearthside uncluttered
As you quietly sit
Old dreams re-appear
And quite pleasantly call
Your chair full of silence
Your bags in the hall