He passed away and no-one was surprised
Nor yet was there a dry eye in the lane
Both young and old had long since realised
He'd soon be gone and never seen again.
He'd had a long and happy, fulfilled life
Was popular and everybody's friend
Was idolised by many would=be wife
And knew the world was with him at the end.
And now his house stands empty and unlit
Yet everyone still feels his presence there
And by his old coal fire does he sit?
For whence the smoke that trickles through the air?
They saw him buried, heard his epitaph.
Yet still they pass and hear his echo laugh.