by Mervyn Taylor

carries his invalid friend
up and down the city streets.

While he tells stories, his friend
sells sweets, and listens attentively,

though he’s heard most of the tales
many times before. When he dies,

the storyteller grieves for days,
missing the weight from his back,

unsure now of his stories, who will
clap so long and happily in his ear.

Poem copyright 2023 by Mervyn Taylor. All rights reserved.

See two more poems from Mervyn Taylor debuted on The Fight & The Fiddle: “Evening,”  and  “The Pause”

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Read more in this issue: Interview | Critical Essay | Writing Prompt