Five OClock Shadow

This is the time of day when we in the Men's

Think "one more surge of the pain and I give up the fight."When he who struggles for breath can struggle less strongly:

This is the time of day which is worse than night.

A haze of thunder hangs on the hospital rose-beds,

A doctors' foursome out on the links is played,

Safe in her sitting-room Sister is putting her feet up:

This is the time of day when we feel betrayed.

Below the windows, loads of loving

Rev in the car park, changing gear at the bend,

Making for home and a nice big tea and the telly:"Well, we've done what we can.

It can't be long till the end."This is the time of day when the weight of

Is harder to bear than a sharp incision of steel.

The endless anonymous croak of a cheap

Intensifies the lonely terror I feel.