What if it were true

narrative verse

 

What if it were true?3

 

Hector, Ajax and Hercules

 and other heroes such as these.

All suffered from the same disease.

They thought they were invincible.

 

Now every one of them is dead.

I know this from the books I’ve read.

Unlike my ancient Uncle Fred.

Who thought it might be possible.

 

To find a way to stay alive

 a certain method to survive

Towards this end then he would strive

Although it seemed improbable.

 

A coward too afraid to die.

Although he was clever guy

 well versed in ancient history.

He thought he could be comfortable.

 

If he could find a vampire who

 he thought could be persuaded to

 make him into a vampire too

 and grant him immortality.

 

I half believed when I was small

My uncle often came to call

 but always late after night fall.

Which made me feel uncomfortable.

 

 

But now I take a different view.

I don’t believe his tales were true

Nor do I think my siblings do.

I think it is impossible.

 

By bright sunlight I am certain

 but after dark I think again.

What if my uncle Fred did gain

 his wish for immortality.

 

I hoped that he was telling lies

 and so it came as no surprise.

To find one single rule applies.

Vampires do not seek publicity.

 

Real vampires do not advertise

They consider it’s not wise.

Although my uncle really tries

 his stories cannot convince me.

 

I know my uncle’s very old.

 And that he cannot stand the cold.

 From stories that my parents told

 concerning his longevity.

 

 My father says he will not die

My mother says that’s all my eye.

But still I wonder sometimes why.

He’s lived so long. It seems to me.

 

Just possible he’s told the truth.

The secret of eternal youth

springs from some ancient vampires tooth.

The bite of immortality.

 

I know that in reality

 vampires are just a fantasy.

That people can live naturally.

Far longer than seems possible.

 

No body knows the reason why.

Examined scientifically.

It seems that everyone must die.

No one can live eternally.

 

But Uncle Fred refuses to.

I can’t believe his tales are true.
He sleeps all day as vampires do.

at his age it’s permissible.

 

I tell myself it makes no sense

 for Fred to keep up this pretense.

I have to do in self defence.

I find it much preferable.

 

To believing Uncle Fred

Is exactly as he said

A member of the living dead.

That would be truly terrible.

 

18/08/2009

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