It was a bright day, and the birds- they did sing,
And I was just resting when I heard the ring
Which came from the door-bell; I opened the door:
There was a pale man- just two feet off the floor.

He flashed me a bony and chilling cold smile,
And said “Hi, my friend- I will leave in a while-
I’ve just got a question- I’m sorry to say
That with all the traffic, I just lost my way…”

He put down the scythe which he’d held in one hand
And showed me a book: “I’ve got every land
That exists neatly listed- with every name
of every person alive--what a shame!”

He took a cold breath. “Could you show me the way?
This man is the one I am searching for…Say,
Would you perhaps know in which place he does live?”
I saw my own name- and my limbs, they went stiff…

“Let’s see now”, I mumbled. “Down there”, so I said-
Explaining without even just going red—
“…And then take a turn to your left and go on
for another ten miles, up the hill, past the lawn.

When you come to the crossroads, just keep to your right-
And another ten miles past the red traffic-light—
Don’t mind that, it’s broken—then over the bridge
And past the old building you’ll see on the ridge…”

He did interrupt. “Thanks a lot, I’m confused…
So maybe I’ll ask someone else. I am used
To losing my way; so I just will head on…”
So far I’ve not seen him again. Must be gone…