An inconvenient friend

In my freshman year, I first became acquainted
With that intrusive guest who will someday visit us all
I remember the sunny day in a suit that did not fit
Talking to convenient friends after the graveside service
Young and stupid, we ignored the dark stranger standing nearby
We ignored the fact that the buried one
Had been our school's anointed
Star athlete, teenage stud
His status offered no protection
That his end was not sudden - but long and agonizing
Should have taught us
But we would not listen
So easily distracted by breasts, fast cars
Rock and roll
We ignored anything not listed in the college curriculum
It is as American as pie, and V-8's with Holley Carbs and Hurst Shifters
That I, we avoided the admission that
Death must not be forgotten
Life cannot be lived fully without it
It is the electric shock that will jolt us
Awake
To know so well that we cannot forget
That life is precious
Though rich and abundant
It is not free
Every day we make a payment
That ends with our demise
To ignore this is to forget that which makes
A diamond a girl's best friend
Because death is no ogre
But one here to tell us the hard truths
That only best friends dare say
Live today
There may be no tomorrow
Love every moment
Like uncut diamonds
Rare
And beautiful
And priceless

dg

5/21/11

Sent from my iPad
http://jdavidgamble.blogspot.com/

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