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

Patter

Bears the Punishment

(2019, Stephanie Foster)