Thursday, August 27, 2009

In Memory of Reed

Reed - Holy Family Grammar School
Union City, New Jersey
1965

Early winter morning,
snow has covered the city,
muffles the street noise, church bells.
I hear the motor humming - outside cold,
I sense you out there, looking up.
"Let's go!" you say, "time to go to work."
Man, I am tired, sick - you know, I changed my mind.

Out of bed, I put on my pants, clip-on boots, hat.
right hand on the bannister, through the vestibule,
down the porch steps, into white madness.
In your warm car I listen to Chapin's Frisco song.
We ride together into the new day.
O rebel rouser, old friend. I miss you.

© Brian Murphy 2003