Pick n Mix

[Brian Roberts]

back when growing up seemed plausible 
when we had dreams and plans and comics
the thought of death was a fleeting thing 
as lucid as a passing car radio 

it was always someone's granny or grandpa or dog
who died anyway 
nobody I really knew 

but a knotweed seed of doubt got sown 
with religious facts on death unknown
like where do pets go when they die?
they can't get to heaven apparently

but don't tell the younger kids that 

this simple truth keeps me awake
growing thoughts make pillars shake 
what if it's all bullshit and there's no superman 
no heaven or hell or anything 
just an endless soulless good night.

but don't tell the adult kids that

Newbie,

I enjoyed the ubiquitous theme and treatment of it, though the substance is a bit worn and banal. I do like the notion of death, in minds of children, as lucid as "a passing car radio." This imagery is apt for me and quite effective. I believe the final 7 lines need attention, as they do not inspire a stark image nor justify the first few lines.....as others, I like the term "knotweed" to portray doubt.