Dirges

I lost a friend last night. As near as I can recall it’s the first “adult” friend I’ve lost. In the past I’ve lost family – an uncle, grandparents, a couple of great-grandparents – and people I’ve known have died but this is the first pal, drinking buddy type friend that up and died on me. One of the hazards of having older friends is losing them one at a time until you’re left, all alone, at the end. Happens to the best of us I suppose.

So, no more German beers. No more documentaries from Discovery or History or TLC. No more switching from the Super Bowl halftime show to watch overdeveloped trailer trash smack each other with office chairs – otherwise known as professional wrestling.

I heard he’s being buried in his Civil War uniform. Appropriate for a dude who grew up in Gettysburg and spent his entire life tramping the battlefield, fully steeped in history. Maybe that’s why I keep having this vision of him. Back in the 90s there was an R&B video that showed Easy-E (after he died) looking back over his shoulder as he ascended to heaven. I keep seeing Jeff, in his kit, ponytail tucked under his forage cap and Enfield on his shoulder, looking back over his shoulder with a sort of half-grin and tramping off into the ether.

Fair journey my friend. May you be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead.