For Nyta, in loving memory
Yesterday, two years ago
When I kissed you goodbye
You said
“See you”
Then laughed and said, “Oh, but I won’t!”
You’d play us all, by then.
We’d done just what you wanted
But I’d
Not seen
Anyone who’d wanted something more.
I left to catch my flight,
My one regret: me leaving
Before
You did.
My fellow stooges went the final mile.
These days Death’s date-raping
A trail through every dance hall.
Back then
You stood
And took Death’s proffered boney hand,
You kicked away the wheel chair,
Shrugged away the M.S.
And danced
For joy
Held close, dancing cheek to cheekbone
Under the scorching mountains
Gavotting out of life
You danced
Away
Silhouetted by the lake
While we co-conspirators
Hugged the wall like schoolkids
At the
Disco
Too embarrassed and appalled to move.
And I still don’t know if
It’s the best or worst thing
I’ve done
Or both.
All that I know for sure is this:
Yesterday, two years ago,
I laughed too, and answered
“Bon voyage!”
Joking
Hallmarks should sell cards for just such things.