THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

I was born in
the middle of the 20th Century.

It was the only life
I knew.

A newly minted time
that had no end.

Now I find the 20th Century
is moving out on me.

Leaving me
to get by...by my self.

People have vanished.
Homes are no more.
Lovers long gone.

The young boy I was
no longer exists.

I have become this stranger
that the mirror insists I am.

"Look..!" says the 20th Century
"I'll put in a good word for you

with the 21st when
it arrives...best I can do!"

And so I kiss you in
the 20th Century and then

a second later
in the 21st Century.

The 20th Century already
smelling of mothballs

hanging in History's
wardrobe

It is curiously flat and
has lost its 3-D ness.

"Look..!" says the 21st Century
"...if you are going to be

like that
there's the door!"

Ahhh Death that
final exit lit up

in neon
green.

I take a tentative
step towards the door.

Reach for the handle
and. . .