Tanka Sequence -5-
years out of sight
your name leaps from a message
I learn you have passed
gone the chance of reunion
but we meet within my tears
——–
cherry Swisher Sweets
and a cooler of Hamm’s Draft
driving one-handed
we fly past Deere-green cornfields
in your dusty Impala
drive-in theater
“Billy Jack” – third week running
girls in a Plymouth
glance our way then keep going
shot down, we get ripped alone . . .
——–
I sing your praises
to old friends who ignore them
you’d done something bad
shunned by the faux-righteous folks
of lily-white Redneckville
so you’re buried now
amongst those who don’t know you
my Schrödinger friend
dead to the unimportant
but alive behind my eyes
~ ~ ~ ~
© Lee Samuels
~