Patter (poem)
Patter
He tried to suggest without speaking the worst
That a friend they’d known from school days
“Didn’t make it”
That’s okay, I’ll catch him on Facebook
Bought the farm, I mean to say
From his Grandpa? Sort of reverse mortgage?
No, he’s given up the ghost
Oh, right. Those games we played…
Ouija board’s kid’s stuff, high time
He has gone the way of all flesh
I’m sorry, I didn’t know him that well
Is rocked in the bosom of Abraham
Er…let me make myself clear…
His number has come up
Lucky! So they’re having a raffle?
He’s pushing up daisies.
Yes, weeds are a nuisance, I have that with my own garden.
He has crossed the river Jordan
I’ll thank him for his service when I see him
He has kicked the bucket
I’ve seen people drink that way at football games…
It looks like a bad habit
Davy Jones Locker?
Pimply kid, right? Used to jimmy open other people’s?
The happy hunting ground?
He’s not one of those awful people who shoots lions?
The great beyond
Love her stuff
Bears the Punishment
(2019, Stephanie Foster)