ELEGY TO THE FALLEN - NOVEMBER 2006

Be joyous –
It was an ending of an old
And beginning of a new.
My expiration date has transpired
It is transient nature of reality,
The reality of –
The “impermanence of life”.
It was my time to fall.

Grieving is a tragic waste
I abhor false lamentation.
This is a joyous occasion,
If you must – wear a façade
Of benign countenance
But I do – abhor false lamentation.
Nature’s life-cycle ordains,
A time worn covenant
There is a beginning and an end
And it was my time to fall.

Though brief my interlude,
The joys and laughter
I have shared with all of you.
If I have brought happiness or joy –
Or enlightenment –
Then I am content
That it was my time to fall.

The pleasures of fishing
With family and friends
In pristine waters of Alaska
In the midst of scenic splendor,
Surrounded by Snowcap Mountains
Carpeted with towering cedar forest
That tumbles to the water’s edge,
It is the essence and nurturing of deities
Untouched by time.

The trophy king salmon
Were strong combatants
And cranking-up barn-door halibuts
Till your arms are ready to fall-off.

The powerful surge of ahi
Around the bend off Punta Los Arenas
Bending rod tips to ninety –
Straining back – numbing arms and legs.
The tail dancing of mahimahi on a string
As it slashes thru crest of waves
In crystal-clear – dark-blue waters of La Paz.

Dining at street corner vender
To the smell of mesquite
Wafting along the Malecon waterfront
As smoke curled into cool night-sky.
The appetizing smell of BBQ carnitas
Titillating hunger pangs and olfactory sensors –
Salivating to the tune of Pavlov’s jangles.
Savoring each bite of carne asada tacos
Lased with spicy salsa and guacamole –
Smacking lips and
Licking savory spices off fingers – and finally –
Mexican fresh-fruit gelato at La Fuente.

The joys of sharing vintage – pricy wines
Or “Two Buck Chuck” on a budget
And BBQing and smoking honey-glazed ribs
Till the ribs have caramelized
To chocolate shade of night.
Drinking – eating – telling outrageous tales,
If I could only barter my soul
For one more drink – one more morsel –
One more outrageous tale –
Before it’s my time to fall.

Do care for one another
And LOVE each other.
My parting gift to all of you
Is a feast to life.
Let’s party today
To celebrate the end.
Let’s party today
To celebrate the beginning.
Let’s party today
A feast to the living.