By Justin Karcher
The Legend of Rich
Thank God for storytellers
lost in the rush
hopping from city to city
a Wi-Fi connection
in human form
always the last ones
to leave a party
drinking whatever beer
comes their way
the kind of laugh
that makes life
worthwhile
we live
for their crazy
late night adventures
hey Rich
tell us more stories
like that bachelor party
in Vegas
the supermodels
dancing
in a fishbowl
you didn’t tell them
about your house
that needs to be
remodeled
or that home
is a rusty place
in the North Pole
like that night
you and Michelle Kwan
fell in love
hand in hand
skating through
a big hotel
at 5 AM
she looked
like a swan
her grace
went straight
to your head
but it was
so much better
than being dead
then that summer
when you were living
in the heart
of an ex-Rockette
she was in grad school
studying a lot
you toured the Midwest
together
helping out
desperate dancers
showstoppers
who need life
to be slightly better
that time
you were a dog
a Roman soldier
when you said no
to our sister
when you waited
in the cold with us
to meet Liev Schreiber
all you can eat brunch
in the middle
of New York City
an island
surrounded by
the strongest
mimosa
always dizzy
when you can’t
sleep no more
when feet don’t
touch the floor
remember that time
you brought cornbread
to our holiday party
it was from
Boston Market
you waited in line
arrived late
we all were
already drunk
probably crying
for the dearly departed
too much cornbread
so someone
hid chunks
all over the house
in drawers
in the medicine cabinet
food
for the mouse
still surprised
all this
really happened
remember
when I was zombie
when I got kicked
out of the Irish lobby
too many drinks
when your eyes
give up on blinks
you picked me up
threw me in a cab
took out
my license
handed it to
the driver
told him
go there
somewhere
I haven’t lived
in years
rode with me
in the back
all I did
was laugh
but you
got me there
hey Rich
keep telling
your stories
keep being you
joyful breadcrumbs
you scatter
proof that friendship
is the one thing
that truly matters
