Epitaph for Jim

Epitaph for Jim

Those who've read "Here I Am" and knew Jim,
the man who inspired it, or even ever met him,
have, by and large, called it impressive.
But those who missed out
probably don't care that much
as it's only a crude mockery of his majesty.
My writing was a spark at best
that caused friends and family to reflect on his essence			(ignite)
which many people lose along the way
but he carried till his dying day.

I wrote it by quoting him.
Now I'll share a few more.

I want to be where the best people are.
And everywhere he went,
there he was, because he was there,
plus he made people better just by being near.

We love each other.
I like to think that's true, that few
talked as much as he and I
because he liked the cut of my jib
and I wanted a slice of Jim to carry inside
not simply season bland poetry with.

I love pineapple.
He had never told me that before,
could probably never tell anyone all that he loved.
So I got him one

But the last words Jim ever said to me,
and he said a lot, because every time I stood to leave
he started coughing
I couldn't stand to have
his last words to me,
his last words recorded be
the sounds of him dying slowly
while I left him lonely.
which, in the end, I did.
But I don't have to live with that din in my head.
His lungs were still strong, so I tried,
tried, again, made him relive our last goodbye
till I could slip out the door without coughing echoing behind.

I'm sorry I can't talk anymore.
Damn good man...
God bless you...
Thank you,
thank you.