The song of the siren

wails in the distance.

And yet, even now when it is heard

backs shiver, eyes dart

and all minds thinking the same –

‘Please let it pass’.

For a moment, just a brief moment

we are all the same.

Children listening, imitating the high tuneless pitch.

The young harshly reminded of their own mortality.

Parents grouping together in thoughts of pity

and the old feeling it’s all too familiar.

All secretly scared together.

Until the siren stops screaming.

Then we all go on as before,

Blind to one another,

Ignoring each other but

With our ears still ringing with

The song of the Siren.