resurrection

resurrection

(written for Doc Milhausen)

 

he smiled a yellow-brown disaster

            p

that lit u the filthy sidewalk

like a hiccupped solar flare,

and,

         by the way the flaccid leathery skin

                                   h

                                   u

                                   n

                                   g  from his bones,

and,

        the despair of the deep black stains that

plagued his shabby clothing,

 

I could tell,

 he was truly happy

                                 for once.

 

the only true resurrection

I’ve ever witnessed.

Author's Note

Doc was my homeless friend in West Palm Beach. I wrote this poem the first time I ever shared my lunchtime sandwich with him when I was 19. We shared a universe of lunches and ideas over the next several years. He was a great friend.

He passed away last week of complications due to pneumonia. I will miss him.

This is the first time I've ever shared this poem in an open forum. It is 15 years old.

RIP Doc.

Reviews

[OT]

so sad, it shows a lot about you in sharing your sandwich with him - some people have so much wisdom but are overlooked! a wonderful little tribute - resurrection from humanity, a touch of humanity to reanimate a fallen spirit! brilliant structure too - concrete poetry at its best!!!

[Amy Bumpas]

Thanks for the authors note....this was a sweet story, and yes sad,
but am sure you both made a difference in each others life.

[Kerry O'Connor]

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