You lie peacefully now, br Ravaged by the growth within - br I saw the Grim Reaper harvest you by stealth, br Whilst Bacchus rested. br Your Raglan Road woman br Weeps copiously downstairs - br Your wife fears to enter. br Gallons of tea are swallowed br In teetotal rooms. br Horrible, Italianate sympathy cards br Disturb my prayer over you. br I kiss your sweaty forehead, br Embarrassingly recoil br As I realise the wet is Holy Water. br I pee in your toilet, br Scan your bathroom shelves br Where your throw away razor lies br Full of your bristles br Whilst you've become disposable. br Back in your room br Your banjoless fingers sit br Entwined in green Rosary beads br Never worn in life. br There was a time I wouldn't have come, br Now, I'm glad to be here. br The flickering candle breathes, br I breathe - you breathe elsewhere. br No stage here, br No pub fuelled chatter, br No bullets to bowl, br No close harmonies, br No mother to avoid, br No new dawning of your day.br br Joe Hughes visit joehughes.org.