Photograph ©Copyright 2007 by John-Ward Leighton
EASTER SUNDAY RAIN
Bill Hicks dropped into my thoughts today
and I wondered why he had to die.
He said, "Hi"
and I could almost feel him give the pat
on my upper arm.
It's a staggering responsibility to keep someone's
memory alive.
At first because you are grieving its easy
but then life has away to distract you
and more immediate matters occupy your mind.
Then death gives you a little tug
and there they are
with your history
all dressed up as a memory.
We forget the details
like we misplace keys
or forget to take a whiz
before we go out.
But like the forgotten whiz
it comes back to jolt you
at the most odd times.
It's not quite as embarrassing as
desperately needing to take a leak
but can bring a smile and then tears
when you least expect it.
The rain today is quite warm
and not unpleasant
the kind of rain
those in the lonely heart ads
are always walking in.
I always wondered
why anyone would want to smell
like a wet wool jacket.
One imagines the walking
in the rain crowd
not carrying an umbrella
and having that wet dog look
no matter how much they liked it.
I can't wait to see the kids
out scrambling for their Easter Eggs
mud spattered and happy
as pigs in shit.
That's about all that's happening
on my thoughts train
here in the
Easter morning Rain