PREMONITION

Jane Welsh Carlyle had a presentiment

Of her death. Faceless men, she dreamed

Carried a heavy coffin into her room

And rested it before her on the ground.

It was fine thing, made of close-grained wood,

Lined with soft purple velvet. She said

“Are you sure? I do not think Mr. Carlyle

Would spend quite so much money.

Pine is a very decent wood and pine needles

Are well enough for a corpse’s rest.”

Three days later, she had another dream

The same men returned but one of them

Had acquired a face, or borrowed one,

So that he could look chagrined.

“You were right. The coffin was meant

For quite a different Mrs. Carlyle.

If it is any comfort the three monkeys

We were supposed to bring to you

Have brought her no end of trouble.”