On the (b)rink

He who laughed never, but often cried        

on the rink skated not, but did slide

 

He who had three sleepless nights

came barefoot, fell flat on the ice

 

 

Disturbed by this sight, the parents cried “stop him”!

and children laughed as he slid on his bottom

 

Lethargic and drained yet still he tried

to pull himself up, but deep inside

 

A force dark and dangerous pulled him down

the other skaters, once gathered around

 

Now dispersed, went on their merry way

Lovers and friends, skating happily

 

Every so often, in their way he’d get

on cold ice, he’d break out in sweat

 

Now he lay in the centre of the rink

not a movement, not a blink

 

Each child’s giggle, each lovers’ kiss

meant his cries went amiss

 

He yelled and screamed, repeatedly: “Help”!

As the ice under him alone began to melt

 

Then one woman who at him once frowned

Shed a tear when she heard he drowned

 

Puzzled she was, drown how could he?

The melted ice was a puddle, not a sea

 

How would it feel, if ,as a stranger it hurt her?

To lose one loved to an invisible burglar