Remembering Chris

I got the news today that an aquaintance of mine, Chris S., died. The story I heard was that he wrecked his car into a cross infront of a church right outside of our neighborhood. It was late Saturday night. He was such a good soul. I had a crush on him once. Chris sporadically hung out with a mutual circle of friends that we've both shared for many years. He was extremely smart and handsome, and worked in real estate and taught at a private school. Although Chris was very friendly and knew many, I got the impression he was also very lonely. He lived alone and enjoyed listening to music in his living room, where his stereo system took up much of the space. We had some good times together and I hope now his soul is at rest. He deserves it. And he deserves to be remembered.

Chris, I know this is strange, but I'm thinking of a man I met briefly while living in San Diego. I wrote a poem about him and feel like now's an appropriate time to share. Here's to you, Chris- and a beer or two at our favorite after-hours spot.


"Lookin' at the World Through Rose Colored Glasses"

He yells to me as he's walking my direction.
Just the other day he was directing traffic
With the flashing red hands
And the flashing white man
Hoping the crossing pedestrians would give him some money.
I remembered and it made me smile.
So I didn't get mad when he
Disrupted my peace
Disregarded my headphones
Invaded my space and
Blocked my sun on the bench by the road.
He spent a year and a day in jail
For shooting the man that molested his friend's daughter.
The man didn't die.
And his fourth and last wife
Killed herself.
She wore glasses so thick and her name was
Doris.
He tried to cry when he told me he missed her.
Said he's had HIV for fifteen years and the doctors don't know why
his skin's falling off
As we looked at his hands.
He says Jesus loves me and some other things
I can't remember 'cuz
My bus was coming.
So we hit our fists together as a goodbye.
He didn't ask for money.
He didn't intend to.
And he didn't scare me.
In fact,
He was the best thing that happened to me
All day.


-dmy 3/00