Mark Langlais &The Gastric Band

Rolling On

Thanks for calling round – it’s really good to find that

You are looking so much better than before.

The previous time we met, I thought would be the last.

It seemed that you’d been knocking at death’s door.

I was sure that one day soon, a black-edged letter would arrive

Informing me quite formally you’d died.

Never did I dream I’d find you standing there before me

Enquiring if I’d let you come inside.

And though I didn’t mean to seem so rude, I have to tell you

That I nearly keeled over in surprise.

Thanks for calling round, and for reminding me just why

Rose-tinted reminiscence should be black.

While not perhaps your fault, I feel you should still spare a thought,

And realise why I’ll never take you back.

I was certain one day soon, I’d read some story all about you,

That I’d learn that crime and squalor were your friends,

That your body’d been a vessel that the hoi polloi enjoyed,

And that you’d consequently met a sticky end.

You were generous, they’d say, with all your gifts of new diseases

Though never time or money would you spend.

Yes, thanks for calling round, and would you warn when you’re leaving -

I can’t wait to see you slip out through the door.

Would you please inflict yourself on someone fashioned out of granite.

Would you plan it so you don’t call round any more.

No not any more.

Just go rolling on,

Just go rolling on,

Just go rolling on,

Rolling on,

Just go rolling on.

Mark Langlais 2021