THE IMMORTAL
I ran to the old lady
Who told me he didn't have time
And that that night I would die in his arms.
I ran to my wife
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to get out of the house.
I ran to my son
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to go to his woman.
I ran to my friend
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to go to work.
I went to the priest
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to go in procession.
I went to the doctor
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to pay a visit.
I ran to the policeman
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to go and make an arrest
I ran to the mayor
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to go for an opening.
I ran to the poet
Who told me he didn't have time
And that he had to write a poem.
I ran to the old lady
Who told me there was no satisfaction
That would only kill me when
Someone would have cared about me
From today I understand that I will live forever.
Gabriele Cavagna
IAMAQ Magazine 3/2020