I hate good-by’s so I prefer to say “See ya later” to everyone but especially to old friends. Unfortunately I have to say just that to an old friend.
He was called Poet by those who knew him and I remember very well the first time I saw him. Honestly, my first thought was “What the heck is this walking in my door?” He was with a very dear friend of mine and I wasn’t sure I liked her choice in men. Well it didn’t matter if I liked him or not because she loved him and that meant I had to accept him or lose my friend. That was never going to happen so I accepted him, tattoos and all.
Acceptance didn’t come easy at first but once I finally got to know him, I hated him as much as I liked him. He was just that kind of guy. A scooter tramp all the way with a rat bike, top hat and cane. That was Poet. And what poems he could write!!! They were the type that made you go “Did that come out of him?” Well yes they did.
Unfortunately we lost him yesterday after many years of pain for him. He’s riding the wind now with his hair blowing and his old rat bike screaming like an eagle flying high. See ya later Poet. Catch ya on the other side. Don’t worry about your ol’ lady. I’ll take care of her which you knew I would do, didn’t you? Shiny up Poet!!!