Parsnips

"You know, life's never been better,"

says Derek, the sun life man

while rinsing a colander filled

with fine sun-ripened tomatoes.

Sandwich despatched, Del calculates

his funeral costs. Hungry for crumbs,

a starling flies up to the window.

"It's a guaranteed payout

which can be worth thousands!"

Deaf to the siren calls of June,

Derek sits and patiently waits

for the reaper to appear

at Eden's rusting gates,

carrying a jig-peened scythe

and a box of parsnips.

B.R. 08.03.2023

"Mary's even talking about parsnip jam!"
Derek aka Sun Life Man (a beautiful piece of Method acting by Roger Martin) tries to face up to his latest existential crisis. Picture by B.R.