Just imagine

Imagine a world
         without imagination
without words
         without the beauty
of melody and song
         without design
or representation

imagine a world stripped
         of eye-catching detail
of small gestures
         of finer points
the delicacy of lace
         the softness of silk
the creamy taste
         of an hollandaise sauce
on smoked salmon topped
         by two poached eggs
on buttered toast
         to add to your waist

imagine a cut and dried world
         in which all is repetition
in which nothing
         moves forward
and nothing recalls the past
         a humdrum world
in which Helen never lived
         and Troy never burned
a world in which
         every labour of love
was lost and no one kiss
         meant more than another

imagine the worst
         and be grateful
for whatever it is
         that you have

John Lyons