Row, row, row your boat
try and go upstream
puffing and panting and raving and ranting
enough to make you scream.
Pull, pull, pull the cord
make that motor start
coughing and fluffing and coming to nothing
you cry and clutch your heart.
"Clear! Clear! Clear!" he shouts
hits you with a jolt
flitter and flutter and feel your pulse stutter
it's all the river's fault.
Rock, rock, rock your chair
stare into the blue
doctors and nurses and needles and curses
it seems your life is through.
"Please, please, please" they cry
"tell us of your will"
kissing and hugging and fishing and bugging
they put you through the grill.
Laugh, cough, laugh it off
wheeze your final breath
beeping and sleeping no time to be weeping
you gladly welcome death.
Graeme King