The Taxicab

Dear friend,

It's my pleasure to introduce my new poem, "The Taxicab." I hope the poem makes you think, as the poem's theme deals with a subject most people prefer not to talk about, and I cannot understand why. So, before you read it, let me warn you that the poem explores the theme of mortality, the inevitability of Death, and the journey that awaits us all.

And because we all know that Life and Death are inevitable, I think and believe we must accept both with respect, gratitude, and peace in our hearts.

The Taxicab

A poem by Sal Godoij

I met Death at the intersection of King and Bright

In Toronto.

It happened on May 9, on a cold, windy, rainy night.

In times past, Death was a coachman

Drove a funeral carriage

Drawn by four fiery stallions.

The night of our encounter, Death drove a taxicab

Of the Purple Line.

I didn't know it was Death, of course

I wasn't expecting it yet.

It was a cold, windy, rainy night, as I said

So, the taxicab came in handy.

As soon as I saw it, I waved

To call the driver's attention

Or was it the driver who called my attention

By blinking the lights of his car?

Anyhow, it was available, and that was good news.

I opened the back door, jumped in and felt instantly comfortable

In the back seat.

His hands on the wheel, Death turned his head

Smiled beautifully at me

Then focused on the road and sped up through the night.

I didn't give him directions, nor did he ask me for any

He knew where I was going, and that was enough.

So, soon, we were flowing across Trinity-Bellwoods Park

In no time, reached Etobicoke

The leading edge of Toronto

And the taxicab soared through Pearson Airport

As if this were possible, and it was possible because, as I said

By heart and practice

The driver knew that nothing was impossible.

And as dawn was approaching fast

Fatigue was overcoming me, and I felt sleepy

Still, on an impulse, I turned around

To look at what it was that I was leaving behind

And back there was Toronto, a tiny spark of hope

Fading fast away, the shadows giving way to the power

Of the new dawn.

And it was only then that I realized

How strong the sun was rising.