The One

The One 

was working on the last one

when the next one had arrived

boss yelled “hurry up” you’d think

we were all dumb and blind

had to get a photograph

at least keep the image in mind

closest I’d come to perfection

now out of sight almost alive

one day I’ll get back to it

one day I’ll get another chance

my only palliative thinking about it

with my hands

I was dreaming of the next one

when the last one lay dying 

gave it all my medicine 

all my income and it barely survived

now I’m here with no one 

and my time’s almost up

without any consolation 

I face a new world on my own