“The Ballad of Hank Cole”

Henry Cole was a thoughtful man,

He didn’t believe his life was planned,

He was fond of the game of chess,

considering himself one of the best,

One night he strolled to The Millionaires Club,

which was nothing more than a third-rate pub,

a game was forming in the dimmest corner,

a fateful game, Henry and The County Coroner,

He ordered a beer and sat himself down,

thinking to make the coroner a clown,

Playing began, the moves were smart,

an evil smile taunted Henry’s heart,

nonetheless, he strove to win,

he played so well above the din,

Pawn to King he took with a smile,

The Coroner smiled and charted the mile,

The game ended as it began,

Henry thought nothing of beating this man,

He finished his beer and his lengthy talk,

out through the door he began his walk,

Through rows of pawns,

past The Queen’s eyes,

In this game of chess,

his death was the prize,

He walked further on,

He thought a bit more,

He noticed a sign,

above a dark door,

One day I may be like Mr. Henry Cole,

and walk under my feet,

and step through my soul,

While entranced by the sign that read “Mortuary”,

Hank Cole took out his gun

and set himself free,

The Coroner smiled.

© Sam Hyde

     11-11-67