Deadlier Than Death

When time stands askance
You look behind and see
Known faces, remembered
Emotions, familiar smiles
Breaking into bits and
Taking shape of a repulsive
Reptile that shudders at
Its own shadow ...

When time stands askance
You look behind to find
Green pastures, lofty mountains,
Rolling rivers disappear and
Turn into infertile deserts
Where an oasis is difficult
To come by ...

When time stands askance
You forget the known answers
To unasked questions and
Fumble to give answers to
Those questions when asked ...

When time stands askance,
You forget to forgive and hurtle
Down a steep cliff to an
Unknown misery deadlier
Than the death ... !