Dark Suit Time Again

The dark suit came out of the cupboard today,

a bare six months since its last appearance 

There were times when its unveiling could be measured using a five times table.

But those years are long gone and the dark shadow stalk’s more frequently today.

The jet black tie of finest silk with its little concealed handmade tag

once again performs a Windsor knot and points south towards 

the obsidian black Oxfords, high buffed shine as a mark of respect

The trousers waist used to gauge if I have put on weight

now accepts that the belt has eased a notch.

Heavy my heart feels for yet another spoke in the wheel of life has snapped

And for a briefest of moments a thought of my own mortal coil.

On some dark winter's morning at an undetermined future date

will another suit be taken from a cupboard 

carefully brushed and adorned in respect

but enough of such rueful reflection

no melancholic communion for today

life flows as it always has and always will.

And my heart still beats to the rhythm of days to come

But today the world and its song have lost another voice

And the tune seems a little less harmonious now.