MARSHALL LILLY, WHO DID NOTHING IN HIS LIFE
DIES OF CHAGUS DISEASE COMPLICATIONS AT 66
Poems
Oh, I've got one thing to add, yes, I've something more to say
and I've just got to get it out while I'm still breathing anyway
because tomorrow isn't here and the next day's not for now
so, no time like this presently 'tis what I'm speaking anyhow
Well, what I need to say out loud while I've got you in my loop
truth be told I've been a selfish prick, a really total nincompoop
and I'm taking this opportunity to set all my bad records right
plus, doing amends brings amenders much closer to the light
I'm running low on granddad fuel
An old man ready for his nap
The checkered flag is in the air
And soon I'll take my final lap
I'm flying slow on empty fumes
A geezer falling from the sky
The catastrophic impact zone
A life that left me high and dry
And then, with a flutter, 'tis lights out
no more, "Wait, there's one thing more I wanted to say!"
and regardless of whether that moment's violent or peaceful
the reality of such unconsciousness will stay
There's no calling out from the darkness
zero, "Wait, I didn't get a goodbye or heartfelt farewell!"
and the only sounds the saddened living shall be hearing
are distant tolling's from a funeral's mournful bell
Oh, love matters
been sweet 'tis a person who counts
as we all want the good guys to win
and when they do, we joyfully shout
Oh, kindness matters
acting nicely tips the well-being hat
and pushing against the bad guys
puts a feather in the better guy's cap
Oh, happy endings matter
just watch any movie, you'll see
when good guys at last achieve victory
why naturally we all cheer with glee!
These poems are measures of our bond
A link steadfast as tungsten darts
Our back and forth reminding me
How much I love the rhyming parts
It's nice to know our ties are strong
A knot untwined by selfsame hearts
Our poetry fulfilling me
Especially the rhyming parts
This back-and-forth 'tis like a balm
a championship match of righting wrong
quite identical to an ad-libbed song
which moving lifts us well and strong
I exactly know of what you speak
yet solace with You's all I seek
and amended 'tis my heart with thee
as I've found dark, unstable me
Now naught one thing you can say
that'd make me grimace, turn away
nor anything which you might do
to stop me from always loving you
I'm forgiveness here for everything
understanding shadows, you may bring
but take your wrongs with grains of salt
and own the parts where I'm at fault
I'm reminded of our chance to think
we're in the clear, well past the brink
of mournful regret and anguished cries
in a place remembering happy eyes
I'm mortified again you see
To think you might be mad at me
I do not want to hurt the lamb
Who bleeds as silent as the clam
I'm mortified I hope you know
To think I dealt another blow
I do not want to make you sore
I do not want this anymore
I'm mortified and must confess
I am the one who made this mess
I do not want to be an ass
But please give me another pass
I'm holding on by a hair, just barely getting by, as my fear and perplexation rise daily
I'm fighting strong urges to lash out verbally, to blame others, number 2 on her list
I'm not much for outright denials and I now believe there's no one to argue with
however, no doubt I'm definitely bummed out, saddened to my core by karmic fate
yet I feel at peace, have a sense of the 'alright', and carry a consciousness of letting go
because I'm content with my entire life, and quite happy to have arrived at who I am
but I'm focusing on my behavior, while intuitively thinking I'm going to go out okay
What would Arthur Miller say
With his last remaining breath
Did he really comprehend
The bewilderment of death
What would William Shakespeare write
With his final feathered quill
Did he meet his end with grace
Thus devour the bitter pill
What would all the authors say
With both feet now in the grave
Did they truly understand
Life's a thing no one can save
Goddamned son-of-a-bitch cock sucking whore!
Why I just don't give a fucking rat's ass anymore
