-Congratulations and Condolences-


She’s an established artist

Worthy of her station.

What recognition comes her way from others

Has been earned through the diligence
Of her efforts.

There are days in which
I feel accomplished
At the face of something completed
As there are those in which I attest 

To feeling less than competitive.

On those cruel days I seek a voice
That moves beyond my chair and self-
Gratifications.

So I write in remembrance
Of a long-dead friend
Lacing his spikes on the stairs
To the porch of his house
Across the street from the third-base line
Between the bakery and the gas station
Below the slow hillside where the stone
Facade of the church loomed intrusively
And of what it all meant to the collective.

Empy-handed, I’ll walk to the corner store
At the behest of my father
Where I'm handed a fresh pack of Luckies
From behind the counter

To temper the recurrence of his morning
Drive eastward, as far as a Buick can travel
Without running head-long into saltwater
Telling the gentleman in the bloody
Meat-stained apron with the ease of convention:
"He said he'll pay you on Friday"—
Then inhaling the sharp scent of tobacco
Through the cellophane wrap on the slow
Walk home.
Count me culpable.

Let's start the ball rolling early in life
By smoking his brand.
She's earned her residence

Through the performance of her art.
I’m left at my station to speak of the dead.

                                          5/29/12