Life's Last Door ..... (a tough time letting someone we love go through that final door)

When I end up at life’s last door and my journey’s led me to it

Hope you as friends and family do no more but gently help me through it

That you don’t pity me, fuss too much, just send me on my way

Remember all I’ve done and such and know I’ve had my day

 I am gonna try to smile once more when that curtain calls to me

As I walk in through that final door towards life’s eternal mystery

So hold my hand, kiss my cheek, in some way I’ll still remain

And all those cliches we’ll speak then like until we meet again

 I’ve done it once or twice and now watched friends go through it too

There’s no rules written as to how so I’ll just leave it up to you

That door will close behind me so after you have played your part

Know that I will always be, in your life, locked safe within your heart

 And to those friends, I know who, have trodden this well worn path

Cut yourself some slack, cause you, deserve joy in it’s aftermath

The selfless thing you have done, a courtesy you can’t ignore

Made it easier for your special one, to stroll gently through that door

John Mason 31st August 2020

Changes In Greetings

There’ll be some collateral damage from the COVID situation

One could be the demise of the MAN-HUG infatuation

No longer will some squirm at another man’s touch

Be put through that torment and will not miss it much

From now on it be a wink or even nod of the head

That male on male greeting may have been put to bed

The handshake could be under scrutiny too, and maybe canned

Just because people do not properly wash their own hands

 What will be expected in future beginning with here and now

Might be replication of the Indian greeting .. hand up and say how

And kissing, well let’s face it can no longer possibly survive

The key put straight in the ignition ‘when you go for a drive’

 It’ll be knuckles and elbows and those waves from afar

Thousands of lonely people sitting by themselves in a spa

With populations shit scared of any further viral trouble

And keen to exist solely in their own personal bubble

 There will be brave people though who won’t take this tack

Who’ll stick their tongue in an ear and lick sweat off a back

They’ll stay true to traditions such as leather and lace

Smart, lucky bastards who’ll die with … a smile on face!

John Mason 02/ 04/2020

Share The Dog

Though it’s called the Black Dog that is just a name

Why, how and when it bites is never quite the same

Except once you're afflicted it can hide close at hand

Impacting at times and in ways hard to understand

It’s tenacious, grabs hold and resists letting go

This relentless, consuming and sadly familiar foe

If I could control it for you, I would with due speed

Gently but firmly grab hold of that bloody dog’s lead

And take it so far from you that you would never again

Have to suffer the torment, the struggle and pain

Know I am here and that if you should need me at all

I’m ready, willing and able to answer the call

I’m your friend and that means you should not be alone

And have to, no longer fight the Black Dog on your own

John Mason 10/05/2020

Patty ... One Year On

Patty One Year

 Is that a year without you now, I can’t believe it so?

Seems sort of just like yesterday, where does the time go?

I go to ring you often still for a chat or just advice,

I imagine I could do it still, shit that would be so nice.

 The days dragged at first, a nothingness, a hole,

I seemed to cope the early days but then it took its rightful toll,

So many unfinished conversations, things we’d planned to do,

With me still here, the activities, but alas there is no you.

 I am selfish and want you back, our story is incomplete,

Such things we’d do and I would say the next time that we meet,

That hole is slowly mending though the emptiness does remain,

But life it gives me so many things to bring me joy again.

 New lives are a coming soon, they will hear your tales and name

The Great Uncle they will never meet, though a story ain’t the same

As your music and your humour, courage and conviction,

The loving, laughing, learned man and massive contradiction.

 So save up all your energy, cause if what some believe is true,

One day we’ll be together again, our team, me and you,

None will be safe from our scathing wit or wicked repartee,

Just thinking it may happen brings the biggest smile to me.

 Thanks for the gifts you left of the times together shared,

We sucked the marrow out of life and never really cared,

The music, mirth and merriment, all the times spent with you,

Remain as the sweetest memories, and sadly these must do!

John Mason 18/1/2019

Give Me Five

“Just another Mental Awareness message I wrote last night”
5 good people, 5 happy places, 5 things you like to do” .........

Give Me Five

I know the Black Dog’s on your back most the time
And it’s hard enough just to survive
But do me a favour and follow this rule
I just want you to give yourself five

Five people you trust and can tell all you feel
Who can listen and just be by your side
Ones who won’t judge, just have your back
Their benefit cannot be denied 

And five favourite places would be good too
They’re the ones that connect with your Soul
Go there with a friend and sit, just exist
Whenever the pressure of life takes it’s toll

What about five favourite things that you do
Whether music, art, nature whatever
Maybe do that with that friend at a favourite place
And sort of stay there until you feel better

And please take five extra minutes to reflect on
All the people who need you alive
They’re there and though sometimes unaware
Maybe they too, might only need five

John Mason
23/05/18