Signs Of The Times

Sit you down with joy to eat,

Rest your tired, aching feet.

Feeling of content steals down

Though you’re in a hub-bub town.

With a calm, expectant air,

You pick up your bill of fare.

Eyes rove over this and that –

“Watch your overcoat and hat”.

Making sure your property

Is just where it ought to be,

You lean back and dream once more

Of the tasty things in store.

Glance perhaps goes to the wall,

And in letters far from small

Words before your vision float:

“Watch your hat and overcoat”.

You are served with promptitude,

And you soon attack the food,

While a joy steals through your soul

Over which you’ve no control.

That’s to say, such joy should steal

In upon you through the meal;

But upon the wall you meet:

“Watch your parcels while you eat”.

Mar. 29, ‘04