WHISTLING IN THE DARK

Photo by S. Auberle

WHISTLING IN THE DARK

Aren't we all?

News of a friend's death today,

so many plans we had

Anna said, in a letter last week,

thanking us for being in her life.

Oh god, another margarita please,

yes and salt, lots of it.

We look at each other,

you my good, good friend,

scared silly, but silly takes over

sometimes you have to

and snow beats on the window

lightning, rain, sleet, back to snow.

We devour chips and salsa

and you tell me of your funeral bash

you have the music, the food, the party planned

Andrea Bocelli--Time to Say Goodbye

do ya think that would be over the top?

And we burst into another round of giggles.

Wind shakes the old building and

I debate the merits of cremation vs. worms,

wonder just how many parts of myself

I can divide, to be in all my beloved places.

The bar fills up with winter freaks like us

stamping snow from their boots

beer and margaritas flowing

like the still hot blood in our veins.

We eat, we giggle, we watch

the storm fighting to get at us.

I think of Anna, throw salt over my shoulder

knock on wood, cross my fingers, pray.

Laugh tears.

- mimi