Here you lie
Here you lie, framed by lilies.
Here you lie embalmed.
Tears gusted around you
but nothing moves the hull
they laid you in, like a warrior
on the last longship, waiting
for the departing tide.
Here you lie, quiet at last,
while they chatter and drink
around you. If it were not
for rigor, your mouth would
turn down at the lack of liquor
in your hand. Well, I'll pour
one for you, Jack, and drink
deep. Here's to you, my friend.
I was with you when the light
faded, when the pain passed
into stillness. They bustled you
away, shouldered me aside,
busy uniforms carrying off
a corpse. I stayed with you, Jack,
by your desk, your monitor,
where a bright blue screensaver
stuck out its cyber-tits.
Here's to you, Jack, old chum.
and I can see your spirit,
raising the single blend
to toast the best and worst times,
and saying 'Fuck them all'.
grasshopper
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